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Category: Aviation

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Wicker Leads SASC Hearing on Senior DoD Nominations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today chaired a hearing examining several senior nominations for the Department of Defense, including those dealing with the Department of the Air Force, research and engineering, acquisition and sustainment, and health affairs.
    During his opening statement submitted for the record by Senator Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Chairman Wicker covered the waterfront of responsibilities that each nominee would be tasked with if confirmed.
    For the Department of the Air Force, the Chairman emphasized that the service needs to do more to boost space superiority and air dominance through better maintenance cycles, a focus on space control, and support for service personnel. For defense acquisition, Chairman Wicker referenced his “Freedom’s Forge” report and noted that there is much work to do in industrial base analysis and reforming defense procurement.
    In a discussion about engineering and research at the Pentagon, the Chairman emphasized maintaining a technological edge over our adversaries by stewarding the Pentagon’s innovation ecosystem. And for health affairs, Chairman Wicker highlighted the need for the DoD to ensure the military health system is adequately resourced not only to support daily peacetime operations but also to meet the potential demands of large-scale combat operations in the future.
    Dr. Troy E. Meink, nominee for Secretary of the Air Force, Mr. Michael P. Duffey nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Mr. Emil G. Michael, nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, and Mr. Keith M. Bass, nominee for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Appear before the committee.
    Read Senator Wicker’s hearing opening statement as submitted for the record below.
    I welcome all of our witnesses and their families, and I thank them for being here this morning.  Their presence is timely.  We are at a crossroads in American history.  We face the most dangerous environment since World War II, and I am grateful that these individuals have stepped up to serve.
    Dr. Troy Meink has been nominated to be the Secretary of the Air Force. More than ever before, our success as a joint force rests upon our Airmen and Guardians.  We cannot deter or defeat the Chinese Communist Party without space superiority and air dominance.  I was very glad to hear that the administration is moving forward with the Next-Generation Air Dominance program.  With that announcement, President Trump and Secretary Hegseth have taken the first step to maintain our mastery of the skies. 
    Today, our Air Force is suffering through a death spiral.  We have billions of dollars of unpaid aircraft maintenance bills, a shrinking combat fleet, and a munitions shortage we need to fix.
    We created the Space Force just five years ago, and it has grown rapidly.  But we have numerous opportunities to accelerate our space control efforts and support the joint force from orbit.  Dr. Meink’s experience at the National Reconnaissance Office renders him uniquely qualified to ensure the Space Force continues its growth. 
    Managing weapons programs is only one aspect of the job for which Dr. Meink has been nominated.  He will need to take care of our Airmen and Guardians.  All the aircraft and satellites in the world are pointless unless we have the right support system for the people who develop, maintain, and operate those weapons systems. 
    I look forward to hearing Dr. Meink’s plan to maintain space superiority and air dominance in the years to come. 
    Mr. Michael Duffey has been nominated to become the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.  If confirmed, he will face three major challenges.
    First, he will encounter our current acquisition system, which is slow, outdated, and ill-suited to meet the urgent demands of modern warfare.  In my Restoring Freedom’s Forge plan, I outlined a game-changing approach to overhaul this system.  We must streamline processes, embrace innovation, and deliver capabilities at the speed of relevance.  It will take bold leadership to shift the culture of the acquisition workforce.  We must encourage that workforce to leverage its authorities effectively and break free from its risk-averse habits.
    Second, the Department of Defense does not possess the capacity and capability to perform serious industrial base analysis at scale.  If confirmed, Mr. Duffey will need to expand and re-focus existing organizations.  They must improve our ability to answer fundamental questions about industrial policy, re-industrialization, and defense mobilization.
    Third, Mr. Duffey would chair the Nuclear Weapons Council.  His leadership will be critical as we modernize and adapt our long-neglected nuclear forces so they can meet the threat of the rapidly growing Chinese, Russian, and North Korean arsenals.
    I look forward to hearing Mr. Duffey’s views on these three challenges.
    Mr. Emil Michael has been nominated to serve as the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.  In other words, he would be the Chief Technology Officer for the Department of Defense.  If confirmed, Mr. Michael must ensure that the bright minds within our innovation ecosystem regain technological superiority against our adversaries, starting with China.  Mr. Michael has worked with Secretary Gates on Iraq and Afghanistan and has been a part of a very small company called Uber.  I believe his diverse experience gives him a unique appreciation for the challenges he will encounter if confirmed to this role.
    We must all ensure that the department has an aggressive vision for innovation.  That vision must resonate throughout the services and result in production at scale.  I look forward to hearing from Mr. Michael about his vision for research and development and innovation.
    Mr. Keith Bass has been tapped to become the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs.  This role oversees all Department of Defense health policies and programs.  If confirmed, Mr. Bass would assume the role at a crucial time.  The military health system faces persistent challenges in its structure, staffing, and the delivery of healthcare services.  Mr. Bass has extensive leadership experience as White House Medical Director, as the Director of Medical Services at the CIA, and as the Medical Center Director at the West Texas Health Care System for the Department of Veterans Affairs.  He is well-equipped to address these challenges within the military health system.
    This system must provide routine, peacetime healthcare and simultaneously maintain a state of preparedness for large-scale combat.  The Pentagon faces considerable challenges in recruiting and retaining both civilian and military medical personnel.  This staffing problem directly affects the quality of care provided to service members and their families.   
    I am eager to learn how Mr. Bass intends to tackle these issues and how he plans to equip the military health system so it can deliver top-notch care in peace-time and in potential future conflict.
    With that, I turn to my colleague, Ranking Member Reed.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Amidst Renewed Offensives in Democratic Republic of Congo, Head of UN Presence Says All Parties Must Honour Commitment to Silence Guns, Pursue Peace

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    An increasingly volatile situation — driven by resurgent incursions by rebel militia groups — is killing and displacing civilians in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Head of the United Nations Mission in that country warned the Security Council today.

    “The political and security context remains very tense,” said Bintou Keita, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in that country and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).  In the country’s east, the Congo River Alliance and M23 — supported by the Rwanda Defence Force — are consolidating control over the province of South Kivu, threatening to expand into the provinces of Tshopo and Maniema and installing a parallel administration.  All parties must “honour their stated commitment to silence the guns and pursue a peaceful solution”, she stressed.

    Meanwhile, the overall security situation in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri — where over 60 per cent of MONUSCO forces are deployed — remains volatile.  The Allied Democratic Forces have exploited the security vacuum created by the redeployment of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to launch attacks killing hundreds of civilians.  Further, clashes between the Coalition of Congolese Democrats and Zaïre armed groups have escalated in Ituri.  The human-rights situation is also deteriorating, with abuses against civilians — including summary executions — and the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan is only 8.2 per cent funded.

    In this challenging context, she said, MONUSCO remains fully committed to its mandate, protecting civilians and facilitating Government-led consultations with armed groups.  However, the dramatic deterioration of the security situation has seriously impacted discussions between MONUSCO and Congolese authorities on the gradual disengagement of the Mission and the transition in South Kivu. Reiterating that lasting peace in the east can only be achieved through a political solution, she called for the urgent reopening of Goma and Kavumu airports — lifelines for humanitarian efforts and key to the rotation of MONUSCO troops.

    Also addressing the Council was Charlotte Slente, Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council, who said that her organization has been “racing to respond to the erratic and constant movement of internally displaced persons seeking safety” since the end of January.  The recent explosion of violence in and around Goma has exacerbated the already-dire humanitarian situation in the east and led to 660,000 people being forcibly displaced — in addition to the 6.7 million already displaced across the country at the end of 2024.  “With little notice, families were kicked out of their shelters, forced to leave with nothing but the clothes they were wearing,” she said.

    Detailing the appalling living conditions in makeshift camps, churches and schools, she noted widespread looting, shootings, rampant sexual violence, arbitrary arrests and reports of boys and men being forced to join armed groups.  “One person told us they wake each morning to find new dead bodies on the streets,” she recalled, adding that 98 per cent of her organization’s case management for human-rights violations has been for rape.  And, while humanitarian work is under extreme pressure due to recent funding cuts, the displacement crisis will only worsen.  Stressing the need to ensure safe and voluntary return for internally displaced persons, she also called on the Council to ensure humanitarian access across the country.

    Kinshasa, Kigali Spar Over Causes of Conflict

    In the ensuing discussion, representatives of Kinshasa and Kigali sparred over the causes and culprits driving the worsening conflict, with the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo citing the “chaotic” humanitarian situation in east.  He highlighted a series of atrocities perpetrated by the Rwanda Defence Force and M23, including killings, torture, massive destruction and numerous lootings.  The alarming situation underscores the urgent need to implement — “to the letter” — the provisions of resolution 2773 (2025) to end the violence and protect civilians.

    He added that the extent of the violence suggests that “we can no longer allow this crisis to drag out for eternity, claiming that an African problem requires an African solution”.  Doing so, he stressed, would betray international solidarity.  To date, no Rwandan soldier has withdrawn from Congolese territory, and Kigali has shown blatant disregard for the peace process to which Kinshasa has been committed.  Increased pressure — including more robust sanctions — are needed against M23 and its Rwandan allies, he underscored, stating that Rwanda has no right to deploy its army on a sovereign country’s territory.

    However, Olivier Nduhungirehe, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda, stressed that the conflict in the eastern region “was not started by Rwanda” — despite burden for the same being placed “squarely” on its shoulders.  The root cause of the violence is the continued preservation of the genocidal militia known as the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda — or FDLR — despite its record of ethnic massacres, child recruitment and destabilization of both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.  In that context, he underscored that “the defensive measures we have put in place will remain until there is a credible framework for long-term security guarantees along our border with the DRC”.

    Calling the case of MONUSCO “particularly troubling”, he said that while today’s report accurately cites abusive armed groups, it shows a clear pattern of bias.  Alarmingly, “MONUSCO provided direct support to the military operation of the DRC coalition, placing itself in a situation of belligerence — even sometimes fighting alongside the same groups it was created to neutralize,” he stressed, adding that the Mission has wildly exaggerated claims of civilian casualties. Nonetheless, MONUSCO can still play a positive role if it abides by its mandate, he said.

    Council Members Urge End to Violence

    As for Council members, the representative of Sierra Leone — also speaking for Algeria, Guyana and Somalia — expressed concern over the “catastrophic” humanitarian situation in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is inflicting a severe toll on the Congolese people.  While urging an immediate cessation of hostilities, he nevertheless welcomed recent steps towards de-escalation, particularly the ceasefire announcement by M23.

    He further welcomed the joint road map to peace adopted by the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), as well as commitments made by both Kinshasa and Kigali in Doha to remain fully engaged in the Luanda and Nairobi processes.  Stressing that all processes for peace and security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo should align with African-led processes, he stated that external mercenary forces risk exacerbating the situation.

    Multiple speakers today, among them the representative of the United States, denounced the hostilities and the increasingly antagonistic rhetoric coming from Rwandan Government officials and M23 — including threats against senior MONUSCO leadership and false claims that MONUSCO supports the FDLR. Panama’s delegate pointed to reports of M23’s indiscriminate attacks against hospitals, abductions of civilians and gang rapes.

    “There is no military solution to this conflict,” affirmed Pakistan’s representative, calling all sides — particularly M23 — to engage in all relevant African-led processes to reach a peace agreement.  The United Kingdom’s delegate, condemning the capture of the town of Walikale, stressed that the Rwanda Defence Force must withdraw from sovereign Congolese territory.  He also said that M23’s continued restrictions on MONUSCO have hampered the Mission’s ability to deliver key tasks.

    However, the Russian Federation’s delegate pushed back on the “highly dubious” hospitality extended by MONUSCO to members of European private military companies — as the Mission’s mandate to disarm, demobilize and reintegrate former combatants “bears no relation to the events we witnessed thanks to media reporting”.  Given the potential further transition of MONUSCO, the Council must act without allowing the situation to deteriorate due to changes in the configuration of the peacekeeping presence in the country, she stressed.

    On the humanitarian situation, the representatives of France and Slovenia condemned M23’s unacceptable restrictions on MONUSCO and humanitarian actors in Goma and occupied areas of North Kivu.  On that, the representative of Denmark — Council President for March — spoke in her national capacity to call for the immediate reopening of the Goma and Kavumu airports.  Further, she voiced concern over threats and reprisals against human-rights defenders, journalists, civil society and judicial authorities.

    On the diplomatic front, China’s representative welcomed recent direct talks in Qatar between Kinshasa and Kigali, as well as the former’s decision to engage in direct dialogue with M23.  “China always supports African countries in solving African problems in African ways,” he stated.  Greece’s delegate agreed, urging leaders of both countries to re-engage immediately in political dialogue, while the representative of the Republic of Korea called on armed groups to engage in Kinshasa’s “Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Programme”.

    Also on diplomatic engagement, Angola’s representative noted that, in 2022, the African Union mandated that his country’s President mediate the crisis. However, he recalled that the relevant summit, scheduled for 15 December 2024, did not occur as Rwanda insisted that the M23 issue be addressed, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo held that it did not fit into the framework of the Luanda Process.  Despite impediments, including some foreign to an African solution, the understandings reached within the framework of the Luanda Process constitute a solid political basis for further efforts, he emphasized.

    Burundi’s delegate, for his part, affirmed that only a comprehensive regional solution will put an end to the current crisis and achieve lasting peace.  He also urged the Council to ensure implementation of resolution 2773 (2025), observing:  “Non-compliance with these resolutions risks weakening the authority of this Council.”  He added that failure to respect the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo could set a “dangerous precedent, which some States could make use of to nibble at portions of the territory of other sovereign States”.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Draganfly Reports Q4 and 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Saskatoon, SK., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO) (FSE: 3U8) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), an award-winning, industry-leading drone solutions and systems developer, is pleased to announce its fourth quarter and fiscal 2024 financial results. Revenue for the fourth quarter was up 76% year over year. Total 2024 revenue saw a modest increase as the Company’s capacity to meet demand in the Military and Public Safety sectors did not start to come on stream until late Q3.

    Key Financial Highlights for 2024:

    • ‎Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, was $6,561,055, an increase of 0.1% from the prior year. Product sales increased $81,383 in 2024 as compared to 2023, while services revenue decreased $75,170. The Company continued its product line transition focus on preparation of public safety expansion and production capabilities.
    • Gross Profit was $1,398,204, a decrease of $665,910 or down 32.3% from the prior year. As a percentage of sales, gross margin decreased from 31.5% in 2023 to 21.3% in 2024. This year’s gross profit included a one-time non-cash write-down of inventory of $627,105 while last year’s gross profit included a non-cash downward adjustment of $331,671. Excluding these adjustments, gross profit decreased by $370,476 year over year. As a percentage of sales, adjusted gross margin decreased from 36.5% in 2023 to 30.9% in 2024.
    • The Company recorded a comprehensive loss including all non-cash items of $14,062,534 compared to a comprehensive loss of $23,709,851 in 2023. The comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2024, includes non-cash changes comprised of a gain in fair value of derivative liability from warrants of $1,842,618, a recovery of impairment of notes receivable of $40,020, and a write down of inventory of $627,105 and would otherwise have been a comprehensive loss of $15,318,067 compared to a comprehensive loss of $23,400,524 excluding non-cash items in the same period last year.
    • Cash used in operating activities decreased by $6,939,383 or 37% year over year.
    • The Company’s cash balance on December 31, 2024, was $6,252,409.

    Key Financial and Operational Highlights for Q4 2024:

    • Fourth quarter revenue was $1,613,162 compared to $916,299 for Q4 2023 largely due to a year over year increase in product sales slightly offset by lower services sales.
    • Gross Profit was $215,740 for Q4 2024 compared to $258,879 for Q4 2023 representing a decrease of $43,139 year over year. Gross profit for Q4 2024 would have been $383,255 if it wasn’t for a non-cash write down of inventory of $167,515 while Q4 2023 would have been $382,303 if it wasn’t for a one time non-cash write down of inventory of $123,424. Gross profit as a percentage of sales for Q4 2024 was 13.4% but on an adjusted basis was 23.8%.
    • The Company recorded a comprehensive loss including non-cash items for Q4 2024 of $4,715,931 compared to a comprehensive loss of Q4 2023 of $4,191,796 for the same period in 2023, an increase of 12.5% over 2023. The comprehensive loss for the fourth quarter of 2024 includes non-cash changes comprised of a loss in fair value derivative liability of $946,116 as well as a one time write down of inventory of $167,515 and would otherwise be a comprehensive loss of $3,602,300 compared to a comprehensive loss of $4,222,170 excluding non-cash items in the same period last year. The decrease in loss was primarily due to lower professional fees, wages, and share based compensation charges.
    • The company successfully completed its First Proof-of-Concept Flights in Drone Delivery Research Project for Mass General Brigham. The project aims to enhance home hospital care by utilizing drones for efficient medical deliveries, potentially improving service times and patient outcomes.
    • The Company Announced Closing of US$3.76 Million registered direct offering. The funds are intended to support general corporate purposes, including scaling production capabilities and advancing growth initiatives.
    • The Company announced its participation in the Elevate UAV event, offering specialized training on advanced drone platforms. This initiative underscores Draganfly’s commitment to empowering operators with cutting-edge skills to advance UAV applications in critical sectors.
    • Draganfly showcased its latest drone innovations at multiple conferences and private demonstrations including the Wings of Saskatchewan event, aiming to foster cross-industry collaboration and highlight advancements in drone technology within the aviation industry.
    • The Company announced updates to its Board of Directors and Advisory Board, including the appointment of former White House Chief of Staff Andy Card to the Advisory Board, and the appointment of Kim Moody as Audit Chair, reflecting Draganfly’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team.

    Draganfly will hold a shareholder update call on March 27, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. PDT / 5:30 p.m. EDT. Registration for the call can be done here.

    Selected financial information is outlined below and should be read with Draganfly’s consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 and associated management discussion and analysis, which will be available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and filed on EDGAR.

    For the year ended December 31,   2024     2023     2022  
    Total revenues   $ 6,561,055     $ 6,554,842     $ 7,605,059  
    Gross Profit (as a % of revenues) (1)     21.3 %     31.5 %     10.4 %
    Net (loss) income     (13,877,473 )     (23,611,810 )     (27,654,364 )
    Net (loss) income per share ($)                        
    –          Basic     (4.40 )     (14.58 )     (20.60 )
    –          Diluted     (4.40 )     (14.58 )     (20.60 )
    Comprehensive (loss) income     (14,062,534 )     (23,709,851 )     (27,305,305 )
    Comprehensive (loss) income per share ($)                        
    –          Basic     (4.45 )     (14.64 )     (20.34 )
    –          Diluted     (4.45 )     (14.64 )     (20.34 )
    Change in cash and cash equivalents   $ 3,158,797     $ (5,437,697 )   $ (15,180,932 )

    (1)   Gross Profit (as a % of revenues) would have been 30.9% (2023 – 36.5%; 2022 – 36.4%) not including a non-cash write down of inventory for $627,105 (2023 – $331,671; 2022 – $1,976,514).

    As at   December 31,
    2024    		     December 31, 2023  
    Total assets   $ 10,200,088     $ 8,330,292  
    Working capital     3,846,283       (717,017 )
    Total non-current liabilities     342,013       523,584  
    Shareholders’ equity   $ 4,621,783     $ 407,716  
                     
    Number of shares outstanding     5,427,795       34,270,579  

    Shareholders’ equity and working capital as at December 31, 2024, includes a fair value of derivative liability of $2,198,121 (2023 – $4,196,125) and would otherwise be $6,819,904 (2023 – $4,603,841) and $6,044,404 (2023 – $3,479,108) respectively.

        2024 Q4     2024 Q3     2023 Q4  
    Revenue   $ 1,613,162     $ 1,885,322     $ 916,299  
    Cost of goods sold(2)   $ (1,397,422 )   $ (1,444,542 )   $ (657,420 )
    Gross profit(3)   $ 215,740     $ 440,780     $ 258,879  
    Gross margin – percentage     13.4 %     23.4 %     28.3 %
    Operating expenses   $ (4,085,766 )   $ (4,125,078 )   $ (3,482,142 )
    Operating income (loss)   $ (3,870,026 )   $ (3,684,298 )   $ (3,223,263 )
    Operating loss per share – basic   $ (0.91 )   $ (1.10 )   $ (1.95 )
    Operating loss per share – diluted   $ (0.91 )   $ (1.10 )   $ (1.95 )
    Other income (expense)   $ (851,896 )   $ 3,484,104     $ (965,072 )
    Change in fair value of derivative liability (1)   $ (946,116 )   $ 3,575,559     $ 153,798  
    Other comprehensive income (loss)   $ 5,991     $ (164,355 )   $ (3,461 )
    Comprehensive income (loss)   $ (4,715,931 )   $ (364,549 )   $ (4,191,796 )
    Comprehensive income (loss) per share – basic   $ (1.11 )   $ (0.11 )   $ (2.41 )
    Comprehensive income (loss) per share – diluted   $ (1.11 )   $ (0.11 )   $ (2.41 )

    (1)   Included in other income (expense).
    (2)   Cost of goods sold includes non-cash inventory write downs of $176,422 in Q3 2024 and $167,515 in Q4 2024 and would have been $1,268,120 in Q3 and $1,229,907 in Q4 2024 before these write downs.
    (3)   Gross profit would have been $617,202 in Q3 2024 and $383,255 in Q4 2024 without the write downs in number 2 above.
    (4)   Cost of goods sold includes non-cash inventory write downs of $123,424 in Q4 2023 and would have been $533,996 in Q4 2023 before these write downs.
    (5)   Gross profit would have been $382,303 in Q4 2023 without the write downs in number 4 above.
    (6)   The other income (expense) and comprehensive loss for the fourth quarter of 2024 includes non-cash changes comprised of a fair value derivative liability loss $946,116 and would otherwise be an other income of $94,220 and comprehensive loss of $3,530,780, respectively

    About Draganfly

    Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8) is the creator of quality, cutting-edge drone solutions, software, and AI systems that revolutionize how organizations can do business and service their stakeholders. Recognized as being at the forefront of technology for over 25 years, Draganfly is an award-winning industry leader serving the public safety, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, mapping, and surveying markets. Draganfly is a company driven by passion, ingenuity, and the need to provide efficient solutions and first-class services to its customers around the world with the goal of saving time, money, and lives.

    For more information on Draganfly, please visit us at www.draganfly.com.

    For additional investor information, visit
    CSE
    NASDAQ
    FRANKFURT

    Company Contact
    info@draganfly.com

    Media Contact
    media@draganfly.com

    Note Regarding Non-GAAP Measures

    In this press release, we describe certain income and expense items that are unusual or non-recurring. There are terms not defined by International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Our usage of these terms may vary from the usage adopted by other companies. Specifically, gross profit and gross margin are undefined terms by IFRS that may be referenced herein. We provide this detail so that readers have a better understanding of the significant events and transactions that have had an impact on our results.

    Throughout this release, reference is made to “gross profit,” and “gross margin,” which are non-IFRS measures. Management believes that gross profit, defined as revenue less operating expenses, is a useful supplemental measure of operations. Gross profit helps provide an understanding on the level of costs needed to create revenue. Gross margin illustrates the gross profit as a percentage of revenue. Readers are cautioned that these non-IFRS measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. Readers are also cautioned not to view these non-IFRS financial measures as an alternative to financial measures calculated in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). For more information with respect to financial measures which have not been defined by GAAP, including reconciliations to the closest comparable GAAP measure, see the “Non-GAAP Measures and Additional GAAP Measures”‎ section of the Company’s most recent MD&A which is available on SEDAR.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This release contains certain “forward-looking statements” and certain “forward-looking information” as ‎‎defined under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can ‎generally be ‎identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, ‎‎“estimate”, ‎‎“anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements ‎and ‎information are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and ‎‎assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant ‎‎business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These statements include, but may ‎‎not be limited to statements regarding‎; the intended use of proceeds from the Company’s US$3.76 million registered direct offering; the shareholder update call and timing thereof. Forward-looking statements and ‎information are subject to ‎various known and ‎‎unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond ‎the ability of the ‎Company to control or ‎‎predict, that may cause the Company’s actual results, ‎performance or ‎achievements to be materially ‎‎different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are ‎developed ‎based on assumptions about ‎‎such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out here-in, ‎including but not ‎limited to: the potential ‎‎impact of epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises on the Company’s ‎business, ‎operations and financial condition, the ‎‎successful integration of technology, the inherent risks ‎involved in ‎the general securities markets; ‎‎uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing ‎needed in ‎the future; the inherent ‎‎uncertainty of cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs ‎and ‎expenses, currency ‎‎fluctuations; uncertainty regarding the Nasdaq hearing process, regulatory ‎restrictions, liability, competition, loss of key employees and ‎other related risks ‎‎and uncertainties ‎disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors“ in the Company’s most ‎recent filings filed ‎‎with securities ‎regulators in Canada on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com and with the U.S. ‎‎Securities and ‎Exchange Commission on the EDGAR website at www.sec.gov. The ‎Company undertakes ‎‎no obligation ‎to update forward-looking information except as required by ‎applicable law. Such forward-‎‎looking ‎information represents management’s best judgment based on information currently available. ‎‎No ‎forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results ‎may vary materially. ‎‎Accordingly, ‎readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking ‎statements or ‎‎information.‎

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville, Lee Introduce Legislation to Abolish the TSA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
    Bill would privatize airport security under federal oversight
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Abolish TSA Act, which would dissolve the bloated and ineffective Transportation Security Administration (TSA) while allowing America’s airports to compete to provide the safest, most efficient, and least intrusive security measures, under a new Office of Aviation Security Oversight.
    “The TSA has become an inefficient, bureaucratic mess that infringes on Americans’ freedoms and wastes taxpayer money,” said Sen. Tuberville. “It’s a bloated agency that offers minimal security benefits while causing unnecessary delays and frustration for travelers. We need to focus on smarter, more effective methods to protect our country without sacrificing the liberties that make America great. The TSA should be eliminated and replaced with more targeted, streamlined, and accountable solutions.”
    “The TSA has not only intruded into the privacy and personal space of most Americans, it has also repeatedly failed tests to find weapons and explosives,” said Sen. Lee.“Our bill privatizes security functions at American airports under the eye of an Office of Aviation Security Oversight, bringing this bureaucratic behemoth to a welcome end. American families can travel safely without feeling the hands of an army of federal employees.”
    Read full text of the legislation here and the Fox News exclusive here. 
    BACKGROUND:
    The TSA is not equipped to manage the fast-evolving threats posed to aviation transportation. Over the past two decades, it has ballooned into an over-bloated, inefficient agency of 60,000 employees. Its highly bureaucratic and non-competitive nature make it slow-moving, perpetually out of date, highly resistant to innovation and modernization, and simply ineffective. In addition to widespread allegations of employee misconduct and theft, a 2015 assessment found that TSA agents missed 95% of mock explosives and banned weapons during checkpoint screenings. The 95% failure rate was repeated in 2017 at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport and repeat national tests that year were “in the ballpark” of 80% failure rates.
    Switching to privatization with appropriate but limited government oversight is the answer for modern aviation security. Over 80% of European commercial airports privatized airport security screening, and the overall performance of the U.S. airports—such as the San Francisco International Airport—participating in the TSA’s limited privatization program (Screening Partnership Program, or SPP) frequently outperformed their federalized counterparts in reducing wait times and mitigating threats. 
    Competition drives excellence, efficiency, and safety—not bureaucracy. TSA, the regulating entity in aviation security, should not be conducting the regulated activity.
    Abolish TSA Act:
    TSA is abolished three years after enactment, allowing time for privatization and the repeal or transfer of additional authorities.
    Within 90 days of enactment, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, shall submit a reorganization plan to Congress that includes:
    Creation of the Office of Aviation Security Oversight within the FAA, solely responsible for overseeing the privatization of aviation security screening.
    Rapid transfer of security activities and equipment to qualified private companies.
    Transfer of non-aviation security functions to DOT (mass transit, freight rail, pipelines, etc.).
    Proportional reductions of TSA operations and personnel to facilitate transfer of duties.
    The reorganization plan cannot include requirements for private security companies to conduct warrantless searches and seizures or extend the TSA’s existence. Congress will consider, amend, vote up or down on the reorganization plan through expedited and privileged procedure. Compliance will be monitored by the GAO and regular reports to Congress.
    MORE:
    Tuberville, Scott Urge Leadership to Support DOGE, Cut Waste When Funding Government
    ICYMI: Tuberville on X: Trump and DOGE are Making the Federal Government Efficient Again
    ICYMI: Tuberville in Newsweek: America is Back. President’s Joint Address Will Celebrate It
    Tuberville, Paul Introduce Legislation to Rein in Government, Hold Bureaucrats Accountable
    Tuberville, Scott Lead Legislation to Restore Merit-Based Hiring
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Intermap Announces 2024 Results and 2025 Guidance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company reports 2024 revenue of $17.6 million, net income of $2.5 million

    Company projects 2025 revenue of $30 – 35 million and an adjusted EBITDA margin of ~28%

    Conference call today at 5:00 pm ET to discuss results and guidance

    DENVER, March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Intermap Technologies (TSX: IMP; OTCQB: ITMSF) (“Intermap” or the “Company”), a global leader in 3D geospatial products and intelligence solutions, today announced 2024 results and 2025 guidance.

    For the full year ending December 31, 2024 (unaudited)

    • Revenue of $17.6 million, compared with $6.2 million in 2023
    • Acquisition Services revenue of $10.5 million versus nil in 2023
    • Value-added Data revenue of $3.1 million, compared with $1.9 million in 2023
    • Software and Solutions revenue of $4.0 million, compared with $4.3 million in 2023
    • 23% adjusted EBITDA margin
    • Net income of $2.5 million, compared with net loss of $3.7 million in 2023

    For the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2024 (unaudited)

    • Revenue of $7.4 million, compared with $1.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023
    • Acquisition Services revenue of $5.5 million versus nil in the fourth quarter of 2023
    • Value-added Data revenue of $1.0 million versus $0.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023
    • Software and Solutions revenue of $1.0 million, compared with $.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023
    • 27% adjusted EBITDA margin
    • Net income of $1.5 million, compared with a net loss of $1.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023

    “2024 reflects a significant inflection point for Intermap. We secured major contract wins and reported revenue and EBITDA at the high end of our guidance,” said Patrick A. Blott, Intermap Chairman and CEO. “Our 2025 guidance reinforces our commitment to sustainable growth and market leadership, and the C$12 million equity financing that we closed in February gives us the balance sheet to execute on our existing government contracts and advance new opportunities in our pipeline.”

    2024 government wins

    2024 commercial achievements

    Subsequent to December 31, 2024

    2025 Guidance

    • Revenue of $30 – 35 million
    • Adjusted EBITDA margin of ~28%

    Intermap experienced significant growth in 2024, including increasing its total assets by 2.6x to $12.0 million and expanding its shareholder base in Canada, the United States and internationally through the completion of various private placements and its Listed Issuer Financing offerings. The Company now has more than 2,000 shareholders and a market capitalization greater than U.S. $75 million. Due to this significant increase in assets and its number of shareholders, Intermap will register under and become subject to the reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended, the Exchange Act). Because Intermap qualifies as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, the Company will be subject to a lesser disclosure regime than domestic U.S. companies and will be filing its registration statement on Form 40-F. In the future, investors will be able to access Intermap’s securities filings on both EDGAR and SEDAR+.

    Intermap’s audited annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, the annual management discussion and analysis for the corresponding period, related management certifications of annual filings and its annual information form will be filed and available on SEDAR+ www.sedarplus.ca on March 31, 2025.

    Learn more about Intermap at intermap.com/investors.

    Conference Call Details
    Intermap’s CEO Patrick A. Blott, CFO Jennifer Bakken and COO Jack Schneider will host a live webinar today, at 5:00 pm ET to review the results, provide Company updates and answer investor questions following the presentation.

    Intermap invites shareholders, analysts, investors, media representatives and other stakeholders to attend the earnings webinar to discuss the fourth quarter and full year of 2024 results.

    DATE: Thursday, March 27, 2025
    TIME: 5:00 pm ET
    WEBCAST: Register

    Intermap Reader Advisory 
    Certain information provided in this news release, including reference to revenue growth, constitutes forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate”, “expect”, “project”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “will be”, “will consider”, “intends” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although Intermap believes that these statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Intermap’s forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties pertaining to, among other things, cash available to fund operations, availability of capital, revenue fluctuations, nature of government contracts, economic conditions, loss of key customers, retention and availability of executive talent, competing technologies, common share price volatility, loss of proprietary information, software functionality, internet and system infrastructure functionality, information technology security, breakdown of strategic alliances, and international and political considerations, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed Intermap’s Annual Information Form and other securities filings. While the Company makes these forward-looking statements in good faith, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that the Company will derive therefrom. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to Intermap or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements made herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities law.

    About Intermap Technologies
    Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (TSX: IMP; OTCQB: ITMSF) is a global leader in geospatial intelligence solutions, focusing on the creation and analysis of 3D terrain data to produce high-resolution thematic models. Through scientific analysis of geospatial information and patented sensors and processing technology, the Company provisions diverse, complementary, multi-source datasets to enable customers to seamlessly integrate geospatial intelligence into their workflows. Intermap’s 3D elevation data and software analytic capabilities enable global geospatial analysis through artificial intelligence and machine learning, providing customers with critical information to understand their terrain environment. By leveraging its proprietary archive of the world’s largest collection of multi-sensor global elevation data, the Company’s collection and processing capabilities provide multi-source 3D datasets and analytics at mission speed, enabling governments and companies to build and integrate geospatial foundation data with actionable insights. Applications for Intermap’s products and solutions include defense, aviation and UAV flight planning, flood and wildfire insurance, disaster mitigation, base mapping, environmental and renewable energy planning, telecommunications, engineering, critical infrastructure monitoring, hydrology, land management, oil and gas and transportation. 

    For more information, please visit www.intermap.com or contact:
    Jennifer Bakken
    Executive Vice President and CFO
    CFO@intermap.com
    +1 (303) 708-0955

    Sean Peasgood
    Investor Relations
    Sean@SophicCapital.com
    +1 (647) 260-9266

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Grills Aviation Safety Heads on Near-Misses Before Fatal DCA Collision: ‘Why Did the FAA Not Act?’

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    03.27.25
    Cantwell Grills Aviation Safety Heads on Near-Misses Before Fatal DCA Collision: ‘Why Did the FAA Not Act?’
    NTSB preliminary crash report shows that in the 3-year period leading up to January collision, commercial planes flew within 400 feet of helicopters 15,000+ times; Cantwell on CNN this morning: Turning off live location transmitting for military helicopters “was a loophole that, in my opinion, should never have been given”
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, grilled Acting Federal Aviation Administrator Chris Rocheleau, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy, and Director of Army Aviation Brigadier General Matt Braman on the cause of the Jan. 29 collision between a commercial flight and a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport that killed 67 people.
    “As we seek answers, the NTSB’s preliminary report has alarming facts. First, in the three-year period leading up to the collision, commercial airplane and helicopters got within 400 feet of each other on 15,214 occasions, within 200 feet on 85 occasions. FAA’s air traffic managers approve helicopter route charts annually, so if the data raised questions about the safety of these routes, the ball clearly falls into the FAA’s court as to whether to act on this data or make changes where the helicopters can fly in DCA,” Sen. Cantwell said.
    “Acting Administrator Rocheleau, I want to know: Why did the FAA not act on 15,000 reports of dangerous proximity? How were these helicopter routes allowed to remain when alarm bells were literally going off in the towers? This lack of oversight must change.” 
    READ MORE:
    The Washington Post: Senators grill FAA chief on missed warning signs before deadly crash
    Reuters: US senators blast FAA for failing to act earlier on helicopters near airplanes
    Ahead of this morning’s hearing, Sen. Cantwell joined CNN’s Kate Bolduan to discuss the findings of the NTSB and the need for more oversight at the FAA.
    “I think we do have a lot of data at the FAA. I just don’t know that anybody is paying close attention to it. But this was a loophole that, in my opinion, should never have been given. And once the loophole was given, then people should have monitored the situation,” Sen. Cantwell said on CNN.
    That interview can be watched in full HERE.
    The Black Hawk helicopter involved in the Jan. 29 was not transmitting Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out. ADS-B Out is a crucial safety feature that, when activated, automatically sends a beacon out from an operating flight to provide air traffic control towers a picture of an aircraft’s precise location without relying solely on radar.
    In 2010, FAA under the Obama Administration issued a rule to require all aircraft equipped with ADS-B Out to operate in “transmit mode” at all times. But in 2019, shortly before that rule went into effect, the first Trump Administration created an exemption for “sensitive operations conducted by Federal, State and local government entities in matters of national defense, homeland security, intelligence and law enforcement,” with the caveat that exemptions “will not be routinely used.” Then, in a June 2023 letter to D.C. Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton, the Department of Defense (DOD) stated that in the National Capital Region, “the Army Aviation Brigade at Fort Belvoir and Marine Helicopter Squadron One execute 100 percent of their missions with the ADS-B off.”
    During a Q&A portion of today’s hearing, Sen. Cantwell pressed Acting Administrator Rocheleau on the inconsistent policies around ADS-B Out usage.
    “Acting Administrator, you’re not building faith in this system of oversight of the FAA,” she said. “These poor families have lost loved ones! This is not their day job. It is your day job.”
    Earlier this month, Sen. Cantwell sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requesting that the DOD clarify how often and why it operates aircraft in the National Capital Region without ADS-B Out activated. Secretary Hegseth has not substantively responded. Instead, today – nearly three weeks after Sen. Cantwell sent the letter and as the hearing was nearly over – a lower-level DOD official sent a short letter acknowledging her letter.  That response said DOD “anticipates providing a response by [the] end of May 2025,” yet another two months from now and four months after the accident.
    Video of Sen. Cantwell’s opening remarks in today’s hearing is available HERE; video of her first round of Q&A is HERE; video of her second round of Q&A is HERE; and a transcript is HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Armed groups install ‘parallel administration’ in DR Congo, Security Council hears

    Source: United Nations 2

    Peace and Security

    Armed groups affiliated with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have continued to expand their control in North and South Kivu – setting their sights on more territorial gains.

    That’s according to the head of the UN stabilization mission in DR Congo (MONUSCO), Bintou Keita, who briefed the Security Council in New York on Thursday over escalating violence and displacement in the country since M23 overran the key cities of Goma and Bukavu last month.

    These armed groups are not only seizing territory, she explained, but also attempting to install “a parallel administration”, recently appointing a governor and two-vice governors in Bukavu as well as financial and mining officials in North Kivu.

    The MONUSCO peacekeepers have been in DRC since 2010 with a mandate to protect civilians and strengthen the Congolese Government’s efforts to quell violence and insecurity at the hands of multiple armed groups in the east.

    MONUSCO had proceeded, at DRC’s request, to withdraw its troops from South Kivu in June 2024 but Kinshasa reversed course, asking the Security Council to extend MONUSCO’s mandate through the end of 2025.

    Despite best efforts, armed groups have made major recent gains, chiefly the March 23 Movement which defends the interests of Congolese Tutsi – many exiled from Rwanda – and benefits from the support of Rwandan forces, and the extremist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

    Rights violations

    Ms. Keita described an alarming rise in human rights violations, including the summary execution of more than 100 civilians, forced child recruitment, abductions and cases of forced labour.

    “Women and children remain the main victims,” she told the Council, noting a spike in sexual violence linked to mass displacement, conflict and the presence of escaped prisoners and new recruits in affected areas.

    “Internally, displaced girls and boys are traumatised,” explained Charlotte Slente, from the Danish Refugee Council, also briefing Member States. “We have heard reports of girls engaging in survival sex,” she underscored.

    Aid workers have documented rape cases involving girls as young as five, with nearly every child protection case involving sexual violence. From December 2024 to February 2025, 403 grave violations of children’s rights were verified.

    In Ituri province – above North-Kivu – violence between CODECO and Zaïre armed groups has worsened, with civilians near mining zones and farmland bearing the brunt of the attacks.

    Humanitarian aid hampered

    The security situation has driven hundreds of thousands from their homes, with over 100,000 newly displaced since January in the city of Djugu in Ituri, alone.

    However, humanitarian access remains severely constrained due to insecurity, roadblocks and the closure of key airports in Goma and Kavumu.

    At the same time, the situation is being aggravated “in a global context of financial crisis”, Ms. Keita stressed. As of March, the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan for the DR Congo was only 8.2 per cent funded.

    Response and challenges

    Despite these obstacles, MONUSCO continues to deliver on its mandate, she underlined, citing expanded patrols, civilian protection efforts and the facilitation of disarmament talks in Ituri.

    These led to the surrender of over 2,200 fighters from the Zaïre group and the capture of weapons and ammunition.

    Meanwhile, the deployment of a new Force Commander in North Kivu, has boosted coordination with Congolese forces. Still, MONUSCO faces movement restrictions imposed by M23 in and around Goma, including roadblocks and advance notice requirements.

    Social cohesion at risk

    Ms. Keita expressed deep concern over rising hate speech and ethnic targeting of Tutsi and Swahili-speaking Congolese, particularly as displaced populations move westward into DRC’s vast interior.

    She called on the Government to adopt legislation to counter tribalism, racism and xenophobia, and reaffirm the nation’s diversity.

    Regional diplomacy: fragile transitions

    Efforts toward a ceasefire and political solution have so far stalled despite regional and international pressure – including resolution 2773 and mediation efforts led by Angola under the leadership of the African Union.

    M23’s advance disrupted transition talks between MONUSCO and Congolese authorities, especially in South Kivu, where Bukavu is under rebel control.

    Ms. Keita explained that the efforts to plan the mission’s disengagement from North Kivu and Ituri are “compromised”, with several planning assumptions now obsolete.

    Nevertheless, she reiterated MONUSCO’s commitment to a coordinated withdrawal process when possible.

    Call to action

    In closing, the UN Special Representative called on the council to take “concrete measures” against those responsible for grave rights violations and to renew efforts to ensure a political resolution.

    “We must direct all our efforts towards securing an unconditional ceasefire,” she said. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Introduces Pershing County Lands Bill to Support Economic Development, Increase Conservation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced the Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act to expand protections for and improve the management of public lands in the County, and create new conservation and recreation opportunities, while ensuring the revenue from land sales stay in Pershing County. 
    This bill was drafted in collaboration with local officials and stakeholders in order to support long-term economic growth for Pershing County’s rural communities, while also prioritizing the protection and effective management of our public lands. The bill will also transfer land into trust for the Lovelock Paiute Tribe to support the expansion of their Tribal cemetery. This legislation has the support of county commissioners, ranchers, recreationists, conservationists, and private landowners.
    “As Nevada continues to grow, we need to make sure that federal lands are being used in a way that fits the needs of our growing communities,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m working to support responsible economic development while also prioritizing the conservation of public lands. This bill will help boost Pershing County’s local economy and critical industries like mining, while also protecting more than 130,000 acres of public lands. I’ll keep working to ensure that this bill passes in the new Congress and becomes law.”
    “The Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act is vital for the future of Pershing County and our citizens,” said Joe Crim Jr., Chairman of the Pershing County Commission. “Reconciling our checkerboard lands and protecting important Federal lands will ensure we have an ability to grow our economy in the future. We thank Senator Rosen for her support of this important legislation.”
    “Friends of Nevada Wilderness is very grateful for Senator Rosen’s support for reintroducing the Pershing County bill,” said Shaaron Netherton, Executive Director of Friends of Nevada Wilderness. “We have been active partners with stakeholders and local governments working to resolve public lands issues in Pershing County for a number of years. We are excited about the seven beautiful Wilderness areas and we are also excited for the opportunity to block up public and private lands to support appropriate development including green energy along with better conservation and management in the checkerboard area along the railroad and I-80 corridor.” 
    The Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act:

    Designates over 130,000 acres of public lands as wilderness.
    Resolves the checkerboard of alternating parcels of public and private land in Pershing County to allow for more effective land management, and creates new economic development and conservation opportunities.
    Allows specific mining lands to be sold to support the mining industry in Pershing County, a key economic driver in the community, and funds new conservation and restoration activities.
    Requires revenue from the land sales to stay in Pershing County to obtain, conserve, and protect environmentally sensitive areas and support outdoor recreation.
    Transfers land into trust for the Lovelock Paiute Tribe to expand their Tribal cemetery.

    Senator Rosen has been a champion for Nevada’s public lands. Earlier this year, she reintroduced the Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act to expand economic development and affordable housing opportunities in Washoe County, support local Tribal communities, increase conservation, and protect public lands and outdoor recreation. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Rosen helped pass the modernization plan for the Fallon Range Training Complex at Naval Air Station Fallon, which was signed into law at the end of 2022. This compromise included Senator Rosen’s Lander County Land Management and Conservation Act, which transferred land to Lander County to improve airports, allow greater access to water infrastructure, increase recreation and outdoor tourism opportunities, and support economic development, while also designating over 14,000 acres of new wilderness.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, Colleagues Demand Senate Hearings On Trump Administration’s Reckless Mishandling Of Classified Military Operations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    March 27, 2025

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, joined 14 of their Senate colleagues in signing a letter calling on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee to hold hearings to investigate why members of President Trump’s national security team were recklessly and illegally discussing classified military operations on unsecured devices. The senators also criticized the incompetence and carelessness of how these Trump officials mishandled the situation and inadvertently added a journalist to the group chat. New reporting details the classified military plans that were discussed in the commercial, unclassified messaging app.

    “We write to you with grave concern regarding the recent revelations reported in The Atlantic about the Trump Administration’s reckless handling of classified information about U.S. military operations,” the senators wrote. “This gross mishandling of highly classified information has weakened our national security and could have put at risk American lives, particularly the men and women involved in the military strikes in Yemen.”

    “For this reason, we are calling on the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence to hold joint or separate hearings to investigate this matter fully and get to the bottom of why members of the National Security Council were using unclassified, internet-connected smartphones and channels to discuss highly sensitive military information, when there are known ways to tamper with unclassified devices and when it is possible that dozens of foreign intelligence agencies are targeting the unclassified smartphones used by these senior U.S. government officials,” they continued. “Our national security demands that we act with urgency to uncover the full details of this severe security breach and implement measures to prevent such recklessness in the future.”

    U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) also signed the letter.

    Full text of the letter is available HERE and below.

    Dear Chairman Wicker, Chairman Cotton, and Chairman Risch:

    We write to you with grave concern regarding the recent revelations reported in The Atlantic about the Trump Administration’s reckless handling of classified information about U.S. military operations. According to the reporting and the screenshots provided in the original story and a second piece published the following day, the Vice President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, the Director of National Intelligence, the National Security Advisor, and other key national security officials discussed classified information about imminent U.S. military operations using internet-connected smartphones that were not approved for discussing classified information, via a commercial, unclassified messaging app called “Signal.” Planning military strikes using consumer-grade, internet-connected smartphones is reckless and illegal because they can be hacked by foreign governments. Additionally, due to their inexcusable carelessness, a reporter was added to this Signal chat and was provided access to incredibly sensitive information about future military operations that included planned air strikes on terrorist targets. This gross mishandling of highly classified information has weakened our national security and could have put at risk American lives, particularly the men and women involved in the military strikes in Yemen.

    It is even more outrageous that members of the Trump Administration – from the President to Cabinet officials who were part of the Signal group – have tried to downplay, mislead, and excuse this reckless and likely illegal behavior. During a recent Senate oversight hearing featuring Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Senators and the American people were left with more questions than answers following the officials’ testimony and repeated evasions.

    Since that initial hearing, and as a direct result of Administration officials’ attempts to downplay the severity of the breach and the importance of the information disclosed, additional reporting from the Atlantic has been published containing further details of what was actually discussed, which included strike planning and explicit operational details like specific timing, types of aircraft used, and sequencing of events related to the pending attack on the Houthi terrorists, any of which could have jeopardized the operation and endangered servicemembers if it had fallen into the hands of our adversaries in advance. This raises pressing questions regarding the possible spillage of classified information to an uncleared reporter and onto unclassified devices which can be hacked by foreign intelligence agencies, the irresponsibility of high-ranking Administration officials, and the increased risk this created for U.S. troops who carried out the strikes.

    For this reason, we are calling on the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence to hold joint or separate hearings to investigate this matter fully and get to the bottom of why members of the National Security Council were using unclassified, internet-connected smartphones and channels to discuss highly sensitive military information, when there are known ways to tamper with unclassified devices and when it is possible that dozens of foreign intelligence agencies are targeting the unclassified smartphones used by these senior U.S. government officials. The American people deserve answers, and we need to know if there are any other such chat conversations using Signal or any other messaging app or other actions being taken by Trump Administration officials that are putting our national security and military personnel at risk. We urge your committees to use the Senate’s full oversight powers to compel the following individuals, who were part of the messaging group, to speak to the Senate in both open and closed hearings: Vice President JD Vance; Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth; Secretary of State Marco Rubio; National Security Advisor Michael Waltz; Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard; CIA Director John Ratcliffe; White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles: Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller; and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.

    Our national security demands that we act with urgency to uncover the full details of this severe security breach and implement measures to prevent such recklessness in the future. We look forward to your prompt attention to this matter and stand ready to support the committees in any capacity necessary. We trust that you will give this matter the serious attention it requires.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Reiterates Urgent Need to Grow Aviation Workforce and Invest in Safety Technology to Safeguard Flying Public at Committee Hearing on Deadly DCA Midair Collision

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    March 27, 2025
    In her opening remarks, the Senator warned, “This collision was horrendous, and it is heartbreaking. But it was NOT a surprise”
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – In her opening remarks at today’s committee hearing on the horrific DCA aircraft collision, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)— a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Ranking Member of the CST Aviation Subcommittee—reiterated the long-pressing, ever-growing need to expand our air traffic controller workforce and invest in more safety technology in order to safeguard passengers, crew and our entire aviation system. For years, Duckworth has been sounding the alarm that we must make these critical aviation safety investments immediately to prevent all-too-often near-misses from becoming catastrophic tragedies. Despite the Senator’s calls, the Trump Administration began making cuts and firing hundreds of FAA employees in the wake of multiple deadline airplane crashes, including the DCA crash that killed 67 passengers and crew on January 29, 2025. Video of Duckworth’s opening remarks can be found on the Senator’s YouTube.
    Key quotes:
    “We have an obligation to the victims to learn what went wrong and prevent a collision like this from ever happening again. As a former Blackhawk pilot, who has flown helicopters out of a very busy Chicago Midway Airport – I know how challenging this type of mixed-use airspace can be. But a challenging airspace is no excuse. This should never happen. This collision was horrendous, and it is heartbreaking. But it was NOT a surprise. Alarm bells about potential collisions have been ringing for years.”
    “At such a dangerous time for aviation safety, when we need to bolster our workforce, and invest in technology – the last thing we should be doing is making cuts. Yet, two weeks after the DCA crash, the Trump administration began firing hundreds of FAA employees. I say all of this because it is important context to keep in mind during today’s hearing. We need to understand what happened at DCA – but we also need to understand how this fits into a much larger threat to aviation safety.”
    “NTSB’s preliminary report raises several questions. Most notably: How did FAA allow a helicopter route to come within 75 feet of a runway approach? […] We also need to know more about what the helicopter pilots knew about their altitude. Was their equipment working properly? […] There are also questions about ADS-B. Why was the helicopter not transmitting ADS-B Out? Do commercial aircraft need to be equipped with ADS-B In?”
    Duckworth’s opening remarks as prepared below:
    I want to extend my condolences to the family members of the victims some of whom are here with us today—both on the commercial airliner, as well as the family members who lost the brave soldiers in the Blackhawk helicopter.
    I also want to thank the first responders, and everyone at NTSB for their tireless work to get us the answers we need.
    There’s a saying and many of you have heard it: Our aviation regulations are written in blood.
    We have an obligation to the victims to learn what went wrong, and prevent a collision like this from ever happening again.
    As a former Blackhawk pilot myself, who has flown helicopters out of a very busy Chicago Midway Airport – I know how challenging this type of mixed-use airspace can be.
    But a challenging airspace is no excuse. This should never happen.
    This collision was horrendous, and it is heartbreaking.
    But it was NOT a surprise.
    Alarm bells about potential collisions have been ringing for years.
    Coming out of the pandemic, we saw a frightening rise in close calls and an erosion of our aviation system’s margin of safety.
    We’ve known for years we need more air traffic controllers and more safety technology.
    The warnings have been clear — and in some cases right here at this committee, in a bipartisan consensus.
    In November 2023, we held a hearing on close calls. NTSB Chair Homendy testified. Citing staffing shortages, fatigue, distraction, deviations from FAA regulations and a lack of runway safety technology, she warned — quote — “The concerning uptick in such incidents is a clear warning sign that the U.S. aviation system is sharply strained . . . We cannot wait until a fatal accident forces action. We must act before there is a tragedy.”
    At the same hearing, the National Air Traffic Controller Association’s president told us that staffing shortages were so bad, many air traffic controllers were working mandatory overtime, 6-day workweeks and 10-hour days. He warned — quote — “Over the long-term, this will continue to introduce unnecessary risk into the system.”
    We passed—in a bipartisan way—an FAA Reauthorization bill last year to help rebuild our aviation workforce and make critical investments in safety.
    FAA is still implementing that new law, but clearly Congress has more work to do to shore up aviation safety.
    In December 2024, we held another hearing. GAO told us that more than 75% of our aging air traffic control systems are unsustainable or potentially unsustainable.
    The deadly collision at DCA is not the only aviation safety incident, so far, this year. We’ve seen deadly crashes in Philadelphia and Alaska, and a crash landing in Toronto that miraculously everyone survived even after the aircraft flipped upside down. Earlier this month, we saw passengers standing on the wing of a 737 in Denver to escape a fire.
    And near misses keep happening. In February a Southwest flight came within 200 ft of colliding with a Flexjet plane at Midway Airport.
    At such a dangerous time for aviation safety, when we need to bolster our workforce, and invest in technology – the last thing we should be doing is making cuts to the FAA. Yet, two weeks after the DCA crash, the Trump administration began firing hundreds of FAA employees.
    I say all of this because it is important context to keep in mind during today’s hearing. We need to understand what happened at DCA – but we also need to understand how this fits into a much larger threat to aviation safety.
    According to NTSB, DCA had many close calls in recent years. Between October 2021 and December 2024 there were more than 15,000 instances of commercial aircraft coming close to helicopters.
    85 of these had a vertical separation of less than 200 ft.
    Last year there were also two high-profile runway close calls at DCA.NTSB’s preliminary report raises several questions.
    Most notably: How did FAA allow a helicopter route to come within 75 feet of a runway approach?
    FAA has deconflicted the airspace, but DCA is not the only airport in the country where airplanes and helicopters share congested airspace.
    Several of us raised this at an earlier briefing and, thankfully, FAA is now evaluating 8 cities where this may also be an issue, including Chicago.
    We also need to know more about what the helicopter pilots knew about their altitude. Was their equipment working properly? Voice recordings showed the pilot and the Instructor pilot indicated different altitudes as they approached the Key Bridge, and NTSB determined that some of the altitude information on the helicopter’s data recorder was invalid.
    There are also questions about ADS-B. Why was the helicopter not transmitting ADS-B Out? Do commercial aircraft need to be equipped with ADS-B In? How come so many helicopters are allowed exemptions at DCA?
    I look forward to hearing from our witnesses.
    I yield back.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Dominican Republic: A Global Benchmark for Investment

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a global context marked by increasing economic uncertainty and market volatility, the Dominican Republic is consolidating itself as a global benchmark for foreign investment, especially for companies seeking new destinations from which to operate to reduce costs, mitigate risks, and strengthen the resilience of their supply chains.

    With a GDP growth of 5.0% in 2024, the highest in all Latin America and the Caribbean, the country remains one of the most dynamic, outperforming larger economies. For the coming years, this impressive dynamism is expected to continue, with IMF growth projections of 4.5% and 5.1% for 2025 and 2026, respectively, driven by solid political and social stability, a robust financial system, and favorable economic policies for business development. This extraordinary performance has also strengthened the confidence of international investors, reflected in the improvement of the country’s credit rating by major rating agencies such as S&P Global and Fitch Ratings.

    A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

    Thus, beyond its idyllic landscapes, the Dominican Republic has managed to establish itself as a key destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). In 2024, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), FDI in the country increased by 7.1%, representing 41% of the capital flows captured by Central America.

    The Dominican Republic Industrial Tech revolution is no longer a secret – it’s a movement. This dynamic shift is not only transforming the country’s industrial landscape but is also positioning the Dominican Republic as a central hub for technological innovation, creating exciting opportunities for growth and international partnerships.

    Global companies continue to choose the Dominican Republic to relocate their operations in key sectors such as medical and pharmaceutical products, electrical and electronic devices, textile manufacturing, tobacco and its derivatives, jewelry, among others. Clearly, this outlook shows that nearshoring is not an emerging trend, but a reality in the country. We’ve seen how innovation, investment, and talent are transforming the nation into a powerhouse of technological advancement.

    Free Zones in the Dominican Republic: Engine of Economic Diversification and Nearshoring

    The growing interest in creating more resilient, sustainable, and closer supply chains to end consumer markets has made nearshoring a key competitive strategy for companies. In this context, the Dominican Republic, located just two hours by air and two days by sea from the United States, offers multiple competitive advantages:

    • Geographic proximity to the world’s largest consumer markets.
    • Legal security and clear, predictable rules of the game.
    • Top-level connectivity and logistics infrastructure, with 8 international airports, 18 seaports, 5 logistics centers, and 33 logistics operator companies. This infrastructure includes ports that have positioned themselves as important terminal operators, playing a strategic role in the sustainability of global supply chains.
    • Several Free Trade Agreements, including DR-CAFTA and EPA, which open the doors to more than 900 million potential consumers worldwide.
    • Competitive operational costs.

    These extraordinary advantages, combined with the attractive tax incentives offered by the Free Zones Regime, make the Dominican Republic an unbeatable investment destination for companies looking to relocate or expand their manufacturing operations.

    Free Zones, which have been successfully implemented for over half a century without modifications, have played a crucial role in the industrial and social development of the country, attracting the attention of global companies, including those on the Fortune 500 list, and consolidating themselves as a key pillar of the economy. Their main benefits include:

    • 100% tax exemptions on national and local taxes.
    • Access to a skilled and competitive workforce, with experience in advanced manufacturing processes.
    • Specialized training and development programs.
    • Simplified customs processes that streamline export logistics.
    • Competitive wage structures tailored to the Free Zones Regime.
    • Parks Operators which offer business services and solutions to facilitate the operations of Free Zones companies.

    Clearly, this is an exceptional regime for companies interested in developing operations with certainty and predictability, strengthening their supply chains, and successfully navigating disruptions and changes in the global environment.

    About the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSME’s (MICM)
    MICM is the government agency responsible for the formulation, adoption, monitoring, evaluation, and control of policies in the fields of industry, exports, foreign trade, free zones, special regimes, and SMEs.

    Contact Information

    Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSME’s (MICM)
    Vice Ministry of Free Zones and Special Regimes
    (1) 809-685-5171 ext. 1017
    www.micm.gob.do

    For more information, visit:
    www.drfreezones.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: SafeCard Reviews (Read Before Buying): Does It Really Work or Is It a Scam?

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MONROE, La., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The world is gradually going fully digital with the advent of many of the latest technologies. We have embraced the convenience it brings with each tap, swipe, and contactless payment, even though it brings with it a new set of vulnerabilities. The proliferation of digital technologies raises the possibility of illegal access to private data, and resultant theft of personal information. This is where RFID-blocking technology comes into play, and SafeCard is one gadget that has generated a lot of attention.

    SafeCard Reviews

    SafeCard is designed to serve as a portable protector for your personal and financial data. According to the manufacturer claims and many consumer reports, It successfully prevents unwanted scanning by erecting an imperceptible barrier around your credit cards, passports, and other RFID-enabled devices using an innovative RFID and NFC blocking technology. To put it another way, SafeCard quietly protects your sensitive information in the background so you may profit from online transactions without worrying about cybercrime all the time.

    The SafeCard has been trending online and on different blogs because of the many claims and features users stand to gain from getting it. Also, users have asked many questions with the aim of confirming the authenticity and manufacturer’s claims. Is the SafeCard Worth My Dime? SafeCard Consumer Reports? Benefits of SafeCard? How Is the SafeCard better than an RFID Blocking Wallet? You will get to learn the answers to these and even more by the end of this review.

    We will holistically be looking at SafeCards performance, features, consumer reports, usefulness, and design. We are aware that making an informed choice requires a clear, factual analysis of the device’s functionality in real-world situations and we will be giving you just that. We will also discuss actual user experiences of the SafeCard from people in the USA, and Canada. Let’s get started!

    What Is SafeCard?
    (SafeCard Reviews USA, Canada, Australia)

    SafeCard is a thin and lightweight innovative card designed to keep you safe from unwanted access to your digital information. SafeCard provides a crucial line of security for your credit cards, passports, and other RFID-enabled devices in this age of contactless payments and growing cyberthreats. It prevents possible scanners from intercepting your data by establishing an imperceptible electromagnetic barrier using innovative RFID and NFC blocking technologies. Even in crowded public areas, this protective field guarantees that your personal identification and financial information stay private.

    SafeCard has an incredibly tiny design, unlike traditional RFID-blocking devices that come in the form of large wallets or separate sleeves. It blends in perfectly with any wallet, pocketbook, or cardholder thanks to its slightly thicker than one millimeter thickness, which keeps the design simple and elegant without adding extra bulk. SafeCard is a great option for anyone looking for both style and security because of its small size.

    The SafeCard functions passively so it doesn’t need batteries, recharging, or complicated setup. It automatically starts protecting your data by thwarting unauthorized scanning efforts as soon as it is put next to your cards. Whether you’re traveling, commuting, or just running your daily affairs, its sturdy, water-resistant materials guarantee that it can endure normal wear and tear. Essentially, SafeCard offers 24/7 security against digital theft by fusing an innovative technology with a user-friendly design.

    Does The SafeCard Really Work?

    By employing RFID and NFC blocking technology, SafeCard creates an imperceptible electromagnetic barrier that protects your private information from unwanted scanning attempts. SafeCard actively blocks radio frequency signals that hackers could otherwise intercept when it is in your wallet with your credit cards, passports, and other RFID-enabled devices.

    Your financial and personal information is always safe because of this passive interference, which operates constantly without the need for batteries or any setup. SafeCard eliminates the risk of digital theft by creating a protective barrier around your cards that stops skimming devices from accessing or sending your data. Because of its incredibly thin and light form, it fits neatly into any wallet or pocketbook and offers strong yet covert security wherever you go.

    SafeCard essentially provides a hassle-free, automated solution to protect your digital data around-the-clock. It is indispensable for anyone interested in digital security.

    DON’T MISS OUT: SafeCard is Available At A Special Price – Click Here To Order From The Official Website

    What Are the Special Features Of SafeCard?
    (SafeCard Reviews United States)

    The SafeCard has become a must-have device, especially for frequent travelers. Let’s quickly look at the features of the SafeCard RFID/NFC blocking card.

    • Advanced NFC and RFID Blocking Technology: To protect your private data from online scammers, SafeCard uses state-of-the-art NFC (Near Field Communication) and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) blocking technology. The SafeCard blocks unwanted scanning attempts before they can intercept your financial data by forming a strong undetectable electromagnetic barrier of about 5 centimeters. SafeCard provides complete protection for all RFID-enabled devices, including credit and debit cards, identification badges, smart passports, and tap-to-pay devices, in contrast to traditional security methods that might only protect a subset of cards. Even the most sophisticated skimming tools are made ineffective by the SafeCard tried-and-true protection system, providing you with peace of mind in any crowded or public location.
    • Slim and Compact Design: The days of compromising convenience and style for security are long gone. The smart thin design of the SafeCard, which is only 1.1 mm thick, makes it nearly identical to a regular credit card. Its incredibly thin profile makes it fit neatly into any wallet, pocketbook, or cardholder without adding extra bulk. SafeCard fits in perfectly with your lifestyle, regardless of whether you’re a minimalist who appreciates clean design or someone who carries numerous cards and documents on a regular basis. In addition to preserving your wallet’s overall appearance, its small size guarantees that all of the RFID-enabled cards in your collection are protected without the mess of bulky wallets or conventional RFID-blocking sleeves.
    • 24/7 Protection: SafeCard’s capacity to provide continuous protection without any active action is one of its best qualities. SafeCard offers 24/7 security without requiring batteries or recharging thanks to its passive operation. Its protection field is instantly activated when it is placed next to your RFID-enabled cards, guaranteeing that no unlawful scan is missed. Your personal information is always protected thanks to its always-on security system, whether you’re at home, on the road, or in a crowded public area. SafeCard’s dependable, continuous operation allows you to concentrate on your day while your digital security is taken care of automatically, eliminating the need for planned maintenance or downtime.
    • No Setup Required: SafeCard’s design philosophy is centered on ease of usage. There is no installation, configuration, or technical expertise needed. The SafeCard starts protecting you as soon as you put it in your wallet with your RFID-enabled cards. It’s a simple plug-and-play experience with no buttons to click, software upgrades to handle, or complicated instructions to follow. SafeCard is perfect for users of all ages and technical skill levels because of its simple usage.
    • Award-Winning Innovation: Both customers and industry professionals have acknowledged SafeCard’s superiority. This device, which has received praise and prizes from respectable organizations all around the world, is praised for its innovative approach to digital security. SafeCard has established itself as a reliable and creative solution in digital security thanks to thousands of good reviews and an expanding user base of over 10,000 happy customers. It is the preferred option for people looking for dependable, cutting-edge protection against digital theft due to its demonstrated track record of accomplishment. Choosing SafeCard ensures that you’re always one step ahead of cyber threats by investing in a device that has undergone extensive testing and been praised for its effectiveness and inventiveness.
    • Lightweight: SafeCard is the perfect addition for everyone who appreciates portability because, in spite of its strong security measures, it is remarkably light. Its feather-light design practically never adds weight to your daily carry, maintaining the convenience and comfort of your wallet.
    • Long-lasting and durable: SafeCard’s design places a strong emphasis on durability to make sure it can handle the rigors of regular use. SafeCard is made from high-quality, durable materials and is designed to withstand physical wear and tear, including scratches and water spillage. The sturdy design ensures that your card will stay in perfect shape for lengthy periods of time, offering ongoing protection without the need for regular replacements. SafeCard’s resilience guarantees that it will continue to be a reliable defender of your digital data regardless of the challenges provided by inclement weather or the demands of regular use..
    • Travel-Friendly: SafeCard is a necessary travel companion that blends ease and security for those who travel frequently. You may carry it covertly everywhere you go thanks to its small form, which fits neatly into any pocket or travel wallet without calling attention to itself. SafeCard’s dependable security is especially helpful in transit hubs where RFID skimming is more likely, like train stations, airports, and crowded cities. SafeCard guarantees that your sensitive information is protected during your travels. You can now concentrate on your experiences without having to worry about digital theft thanks to this travel-friendly feature.

    Are SafeCards Safe?

    SafeCards are designed to protect against illegal digital scanning and RFID skimming. SafeCard creates a barrier that keeps your RFID cards and documents protected when you slide them into your wallet.

    SafeCards provide complete protection for all RFID-enabled objects, including credit cards, passports, and even key cards, so it’s not just about stopping one kind of card. The verified efficiency reduces the possibility of illegal data collection in congested public areas such as busy transit stations, shopping malls, and airports.

    Once positioned next to your cards, they constantly protect your information around-the-clock because they don’t need batteries or active setup. Thanks to this hands-off design, you won’t have to bother about upkeep, which guarantees that your data is safe every day.

    The increasing quantity of glowing client testimonials also supports its safety. SafeCards are praised by users for providing peace of mind by lowering the danger of fraud and identity theft. Cybersecurity experts agree that SafeCards are a helpful personal security tool. The SafeCards is 100% safe and will not disappoint when you need them the most!

    How Do You Use SafeCard?

    SafeCard doesn’t require any technical setup and is incredibly user-friendly. Unlike other security devices, SafeCard runs passively, so you don’t need to charge it, turn it on, or do any other maintenance. Use SafeCard effectively by doing the following:

    • Unbox and Place SafeCard in Your Wallet: Place SafeCard in your wallet, purse, or cardholder just like you would with a regular credit card.
    • Place SafeCard Next to Your RFID-Enabled Cards: Keep your SafeCard near your contactless payment cards, identification cards, or passports for optimal security. One SafeCard can be used to protect several cards.
    • Take Advantage of Automatic RFID Protection: SafeCard begins to function as soon as it is in your wallet. By emitting a low-frequency signal that tampers with RFID scanners, it stops unauthorized access to private data.

    Is SafeCard Shield Legit?

    SafeCard Shield, a small and powerful RFID-blocking card made to protect your private data, is one product that has drawn a lot of interest. But is the SafeCard Shield genuine? The answer is definitely yes!

    SafeCard Shield’s innovative RFID and NFC blocking technology keeps data thieves at bay by erecting an imperceptible barrier around your RFID-enabled cards. Even with sophisticated scanning tools, SafeCard Shield ensures hackers cannot access your information, including your credit card, passport, or work ID. SafeCard Shield provides universal protection and is remarkably thin and light, unlike conventional RFID-blocking wallets that are large and costly.

    SafeCard Shield’s passive, battery-free operation is one of the things that makes it stand out as a genuine security tool. SafeCard Shield operates automatically around the clock, unlike other RFID blockers that need to be charged or powered by external sources. It offers immediate, continuous security without requiring setup, activation, or upkeep; just put it in your wallet next to your RFID-enabled cards.

    Thousands of excellent reviews from happy clients around the world are another indication of SafeCard Shield’s genuineness. Many users have reported feeling more at ease while traveling, shopping, or commuting in crowded areas. Additionally, tech reviewers and security experts have acknowledged SafeCard Shield as a straightforward and effective method of preventing unwanted RFID reading.

    Additionally, SafeCard Shield is composed of premium, long-lasting materials that guarantee protection for an extended period. Even after regular usage, its scratch-proof and water-resistant design ensures dependability. You can rely on SafeCard Shield to safeguard your private information for many years. SafeCard Shield is entirely legit!

    CLICK HERE NOW TO GET SAFECARD DIRECTLY FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT A MASSIVE DISCOUNT

    Best Places To Use SafeCard (SafeCard Review)

    SafeCard is a flexible addition to your daily security routine because it is made to offer strong protection wherever you go. Your credit cards, passports, and other RFID-enabled devices will always be protected thanks to its sophisticated passive RFID and NFC blocking technology.

    Airports are one of the best places for frequent travelers to take advantage of SafeCard. SafeCard provides a covert layer of security in crowded terminals where digital skimming is common. As you move through congested security lines, lounges, and boarding gates, it guards against illegal scanning.

    Another situation where SafeCard excels is on public transit. Because of the close quarters and quick person turnover, buses, trains, and subways are frequently hotspots for digital pickpocketing. A proactive step that protects your personal information while you commute every day is keeping your SafeCard in your wallet.

    SafeCard is also used in restaurants and retail establishments. The possibility of illegal data collection rises as more companies use contactless payment methods. SafeCard helps guarantee that your digital payment information remains safe as you take advantage of the convenience of tap-to-pay transactions, whether you’re at a busy restaurant, a small boutique, or a retail mall.

    The device is equally useful in professional environments such as co-working spaces and offices. Credit, debit, and access cards are among the several cards that business workers frequently carry. By using SafeCard in these settings, possible data breaches that can happen in open-plan workplaces or while traveling for work are avoided. It adds an additional degree of protection without disrupting your productivity.

    Furthermore, SafeCard can be used most effectively at educational institutions and public gatherings like conferences, concerts, and festivals. SafeCard makes sure that your financial and personal information is safe from any cyber threats in these busy places where there are many distractions and personal security can occasionally take a backseat. The SafeCard blends in well with your lifestyle wherever you are because of its thin, light design.

    Pros of SafeCard (SafeCard Reviews)

    Below are a few benefits of having the SafeCard with you all the time:

    • Advanced RFID and NFC blocking technology.
    • Incredibly thin design blends in perfectly with any wallet without adding bulk.
    • No need for batteries
    • Offers round-the-clock protection.
    • Several RFID-enabled cards are protected at once
    • Sturdy, water-resistant, and scratch-resistant.
    • Thin and lightweight
    • User-friendly for people
    • No-setup installation needed.
    • 30-day money back guarantee

    Cons (SafeCard Reviews)

    Below are a few drawbacks of the SafeCard:

    • Only RFID-enabled devices are protected; physical theft is not covered.
    • Only works when kept in the same wallet as your cards.
    • Retail availability is limited because purchases can only be made on the official website.
    • Limited in stock so hurry while supplies last.

    DON’T MISS OUT: SafeCard is Available At A Special Price – Click Here To Order From The Official Website

    SafeCard Reviews Consumer Reports USA, Canada, Australia, UK

    Below are reviews from verified users of the SafeCard:

    • Melissa H. | Verified Buyer -“I love going to holiday markets, but after watching my friend lose hundreds to a scammer, I knew I needed protection. SafeCard blocks thieves silently, and I haven’t had an issue since. It’s the best purchase I’ve made for my security!”
    • Rachel T . | Verified Buyer – “While traveling through Rio, I discovered my bank account had been drained by scammers. I was devastated. A fellow traveler recommended SafeCard, and it’s been a lifesaver ever since. No more stolen data, no more stress. Now I can travel with confidence knowing my wallet is secure.”
    • James K. | Verified Buyer -“I bought a 3-pack of SafeCards so my wife and kids could have one too. Now, wherever we go, we know our data is secure. It’s such a relief!”

    How Much Does A SafeCard Cost?

    Right now, the SafeCard is currently being offered at a discounted price, especially if you purchase straight from the manufacturer. The SafeCard at its current price is unquestionably a fantastic deal for a product with such high-end features. The following costs are associated with obtaining your own SafeCard:

    Where Can I Order SafeCard in the USA, Canada, and Australia?

    To ensure that you receive the genuine product with full warranty coverage, it is recommended that you purchase SafeCard directly from the manufacturer’s official website.

    Buying from the official website not only guarantees authenticity but also gives you access to any special offers, discounts, or package discounts that might not be available from third-party sellers. Additionally, the official website ensures that your private card information is secure. On the manufacturer’s website, you can easily place your order with hassle-free shipping guaranteed.

    CLICK HERE NOW TO BUY SAFECARD DIRECTLY FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT A MASSIVE DISCOUNT

    SafeCard Reviews: Frequently Asked Questions

    We will be providing answers to some frequently asked questions on the SafeCard RFID blocking device. Please go through it as you will gain extra information about the use and functioning of the device:

    Do Safe Shield Cards Really Work?

    SafeCard has been shown to be successful in preventing unwanted RFID scanning, according to several user reports and independent evaluations. It greatly lowers the risk of data skimming, a typical tactic used by fraudsters, by erecting an imperceptible barrier around your RFID-enabled cards. SafeCard’s innovative design and technologies provide a strong line of defense that improves your overall digital security.

    What is the difference between SafeCard and conventional RFID-blocking wallets?

    Conventional RFID-blocking wallets are designed to use integrated panels or several large sleeves, which can be inconvenient and add extra weight. Conversely, SafeCard provides an even higher degree of security but is made to be thin and undetectable. Multiple cards are protected simultaneously by its single-card design, which eliminates the need for separate compartments.

    Is it simple to use SafeCard?

    Definitely, SafeCard’s ease of use is one of its main benefits. No buttons need to be pressed, no complex setup, and no technical knowledge is required. SafeCard starts working as soon as you put it in your wallet with your RFID-enabled cards. It is the perfect answer for people from all walks of life because of its passive functioning, which guarantees users can enjoy continuous protection without worrying about configuration or recharging.

    Can other RFID-enabled devices be used with SafeCard?

    SafeCard is designed to provide all-around safety for many RFID-enabled devices all at once. SafeCard’s innovative technology builds a complete barrier that prevents unwanted scanning attempts on a variety of devices, including credit cards, debit cards, passports, access cards, and even identification badges. It is a practical option for anyone wishing to secure several RFID devices without having to deal with buying separate protective gear or tools.

    Who needs the SafeCard?

    Anyone who wants to improve their digital security and uses RFID-enabled devices should consider getting the SafeCard. This includes professionals with hectic schedules, frequent travelers, students, and even casual users who are worried about RFID skimming threats. It is a useful addition for people who appreciate convenience and security because of its simplicity of use, small size, and dependable protection. SafeCard can be easily incorporated into your lifestyle, regardless of whether you’re a tech expert or someone searching for a simple security solution.

    What are the opinions of actual users regarding SafeCard?

    The majority of actual user reviews have been favorable, with numerous clients complimenting SafeCard on its efficiency, ease of use, and stylish appearance. When traveling or shopping in congested areas, users report feeling more at ease. For those who are worried about the security issues associated with RFID, the high customer satisfaction percentage indicates that it is a smart investment.

    Conclusion on SafeCard RFID Blocking Card Reviews

    Modern RFID and NFC blocking technology employed by SafeCard prevents unwanted scanning and safeguards private data on credit cards, passports, and other RFID-enabled devices. It’s incredibly thin profile guarantees protection without the hassle of bulk or complicated setups, while also preserving the elegant appearance of contemporary wallets.

    During our review, we found that SafeCard’s smooth, passive protection sets it apart from other conventional RFID-blocking devices. The SafeCard starts protecting your digital data as soon as it is in your wallet and doesn’t require any further upkeep or power sources. Customers have praised the device’s longevity, highlighting its scratch- and water-resistant design as two significant daily-use benefits.

    SafeCard provides a practical and dependable defense against typical travel risks including digital theft and unauthorised data skimming. Its strong performance and simple design make it a desirable option for frequent travelers, busy professionals, and anybody else worried about the security of their personal information.

    Many USA consumer reports support the manufacturer’s claims with many real users stating that it exceeded their expectations. The SafeCard is a wise and proactive way to stay safe in these dangerous times of sophisticated data theft. Why travel scared when you can do your trips confidently with SafeCard? You can stay safe all through your trips by getting your own SafeCard!

    DON’T MISS OUT: SafeCard is Available At A Special Price – Click Here To Order From The Official Website

    Contact: SafeCard
    Email: support@safecardshield.com

    Disclaimer:
    This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute professional, legal, or cybersecurity advice. While SafeCard may help reduce the risk of RFID-based digital theft, no security product can guarantee 100% protection in all scenarios. Individual results may vary based on usage and other factors. Always exercise general caution and follow best practices when safeguarding your financial and personal data. The publisher and all parties involved in the creation and distribution of this content are not liable for any misuse, loss, or damages arising from the use or reliance on the information provided herein. Always consult the official product website or customer support for the most accurate and updated details.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5b2f8b2b-7614-471e-bc04-df63db036bea

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b1e8d76f-8ecf-4176-a754-f9f916e782ff

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7e1131b2-5041-4305-8773-cc7188774ecf

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4ad570a4-17b3-4a6f-aaa3-17fc4a2788e1

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lee and Tuberville Introduce Bill to Abolish the TSA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee
    Bill would privatize airport security under federal oversight
    WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) today introduced the Abolish the TSA Act, which would dissolve the bloated and ineffective Transportation Security Administration while allowing America’s airports to compete to provide the safest, most efficient, and least intrusive security measures, under a new Office of Aviation Security Oversight.
    “The TSA has not only intruded into the privacy and personal space of most Americans, it has also repeatedly failed tests to find weapons and explosives,” said Sen. Lee. “Our bill privatizes security functions at American airports under the eye of an Office of Aviation Security Oversight, bringing this bureaucratic behemoth to a welcome end. American families can travel safely without feeling the hands of an army of federal employees.” 
    “The TSA is an inefficient, bureaucratic mess that infringes on Americans’ freedoms,” said Sen. Tuberville. “It’s a bloated agency—riddled with waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars—that has led to unnecessary delays, invasive pat downs and bag checks, and frustration for travelers. We need to focus on more efficient and effective methods to protect our country without sacrificing the liberties and freedoms of American citizens. The TSA should be eliminated and replaced with privatized solutions that are more targeted, streamlined, and where appropriate, accountable to limited government oversight.”
     
    BACKGROUND 
    Within 90 days of enactment, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, shall submit a reorganization plan to Congress that includes: 
    Creation of the Office of Aviation Security Oversight within the FAA, solely responsible for overseeing the privatization of aviation security screening.
    Rapid transfer of security activities and equipment to qualified private companies.
    Transfer of non-aviation security functions to DOT (mass transit, freight rail, pipelines, etc.).
    Proportional reductions of TSA operations and personnel to facilitate transfer of duties.
    The reorganization plan cannot include requirements for private security companies to conduct warrantless searches and seizures or extend the TSA’s existence. Congress will consider, amend, vote up or down on the reorganization plan through expedited and privileged procedure. Compliance will be monitored by the GAO and regular reports to Congress.
    You can read the one pager HERE.
    You can read the bill text HERE.
    You can read the FOX exclusive HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The UK demands unconditional ceasefire and withdrawal of M23 and Rwandan Defence Forces from DRC: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    The UK demands unconditional ceasefire and withdrawal of M23 and Rwandan Defence Forces from DRC: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    First, the UK regrets that despite the clear and urgent message that this Council sent last month, with the unanimous adoption of resolution 2773, M23 and the Rwandan Defence Forces have continued their territorial advance. 

    We strongly condemn the capture of Walikale. 

    And we reiterate that the Rwandan Defence Forces must withdraw from sovereign Congolese territory, and all regional actors must cease support for armed groups. 

    In addition, the UK condemns M23’s continued restrictions on MONUSCO which have prevented the Mission being able to deliver key tasks mandated by this Council.

    Second, the UK welcomes efforts to deliver a peaceful resolution to the conflict. 

    This includes the joint work of EAC and SADC and its creation of a Panel of Facilitators. 

    The UK also recognises the efforts of His Highness the Amir of Qatar to convene President Tshisekedi and President Kagame for discussions in support of regional processes. 

    We regret that despite the commitments made, an immediate and unconditional ceasefire has not yet materialised.

    In addition, the UK is grateful to Angola and President Lourenco for his exemplary leadership in securing significant agreements for a sustainable peace. 

    The Luanda process made important steps forward, including agreement on a harmonised plan for neutralising the FDLR, disengaging the Rwandan Defence Forces from DRC and, most recently, agreement by the DRC government to direct talks with M23. 

    We deeply regret that M23 were not willing to participate in these talks.

    Third, as we’ve heard from our breifers, the humanitarian situation in DRC remains dire. 

    The UK supports the joint calls by EAC and SADC for the reopening of Goma airport and humanitarian supply routes. 

    We call on all parties to protect civilians, including from sexual and gender-based violence, and immediately end and prevent the abduction and recruitment and the use of children. 

    The UK has committed over 18 million dollars of humanitarian support to those in need in eastern DRC.

    Finally, President, the conflict in eastern DRC is undermining security across the region. 

    We urge the parties to engage now in the regionally led peace processes to bring it to a sustainable end.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman Shares Memories of Northwest Arkansas Veteran Who Helped Paved the Way for Expanded Roles for Women

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

    WASHINGTON––The Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center, is marking its 25th year collecting and retaining the oral histories of our nation’s veterans. U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), whose office has actively promoted and participated in the program including training more than 1,200 Arkansans to engage with it and conducting more than 100 veteran interviews, continues to commemorate its impact and significance.

    One of Boozman’s latest submissions recognized the service and sacrifice of Northwest Arkansas U.S. Army veteran Debra Holmes in his office’s ‘Salute to Veterans’ series highlighting the military service of Arkansans.

    Holmes grew up in Derby, Kansas, a location that inspired her love of aviation.

    “We lived six miles off the Boeing Aircraft runway that was adjacent to an Air Force base, McConnell Air Force Base. And so, as a young girl, I would get to see the B-52s climbing slowly up into the air,” Holmes said. 

    As the daughter of a WWII Army medic who served at the Battle of the Bulge and stepdaughter of a Navy WWII veteran, she learned early on about the importance of patriotism and service. 

    In high school, she talked with her classmates’ parents stationed at the local Air Force base and gained their perspective on military service. 

    “It’s an incredible honor to serve your country,” she said. “That was very appealing to me.”

    While her family had a history of working at Boeing, Holmes had other plans. 

    “I wanted to see the world, so I couldn’t wait until I could get enough money or education and go out into the world. At that time the Army had a slogan ‘Join the Army, See the World.’”

    In 1974, the week of her 19th birthday, she went to a recruiting office to enlist in military service.

    “My brothers had had draft numbers so we had sat up and watched the draft. And my mother never thought in any way, shape or form that her youngest and only daughter would join the military. She was not thrilled,” Holmes recalled.

    The Army had recently started expanding opportunities for women beyond administrative and nursing roles to include military occupational specialties, allowing Holmes to pursue her interest in air traffic control.

    She attended basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

    While she didn’t know what to expect in basic training, she had some previous shooting experience that helped her on the range. Her first shots with an M16 hit the target and her sergeant asked her where she learned to shoot.

    “My uncle worked for Daisy BB company, and I’ve shot BB guns,” she shared with him. “He was not impressed.”

    Following basic training she attended air traffic control school at Fort Rucker, Alabama (today known as Fort Novosel.) Holmes was enrolled in an accelerated training course that was challenging, but the practice and persistence paid off giving her the tools to be a good controller. 

    She was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where the military was running simulations. She was often the only female air traffic controller.

    “The soldiers, sailors and marines that I primarily engaged with who had either been to Vietnam or who had been drafted – because I was a woman and also a volunteer – they were not happy,” she recalled, shaking her head. “They voiced the fact that they didn’t think it was appropriate for women in the miliary especially in these new roles that they were rolling out. The other male volunteers were much more accepting.”

    Holmes expected an assignment to Germany based on her enlistment. However, the Army reassigned her to Yongsan, South Korea, where she was initially nervous to be in a new location. She remembered asking for a sign that things would be okay.

    “We’re all going along on this bus and I look up, and I don’t think I ever saw another one after that and I was there for two years, but it was a Coca-Cola billboard in Korean,” she said. “That was the answer to my prayer. And I thought ‘oh yeah. I can do this now.’ I used to put in my letters a Korean Coca-Cola bottle cap to my family. It was kind of a fun message that I would make it.” 

    She recalled her living conditions in a Quonset Hut that included dangerously cold temperatures, forcing her to chip ice off the toilet, followed by the rainy monsoon season. 

    She was stationed close to the demilitarized zone which put her in dangerous situations, but her training gave her the tools to succeed.

    Her fondest memory of her time in South Korea was the engagement with locals on her way to do laundry. Every two weeks she looked forward to dancing and singing with area kids as she made her way through the village. She learned it was something her hosts also cherished when, on one of her last visits, the men, women and children showed their appreciation by bowing to her and honoring her with a gift.

    “They had heard that American women like two things: gum and perfume, so they put their money together and bought me a pack of Chanel No. 5 gum,” she said. “They had put this together to give me a gift because I had sang and danced and played with the kids. I was so honored.” 

    She recalled arriving stateside in her uniform to unexpected hostility. Not only were travelers at the airport calling her names, but a passenger on her domestic flight threw a drink on her. 

    “It was really difficult. It was really difficult,” she said. “Once I got out of the military I didn’t mention it for 33 more years. I wouldn’t tell anybody. I just didn’t mention it. I didn’t put it on any resume, anything. I’m not going to chance it,” she recalled.

    Holmes finished her military service at Fort Eustis, Virginia. By this point, she had been certified in all types of air traffic control.

    “There weren’t many of us in the world at that point in time that had that certification.” She credits her commander in South Korea for providing her with the opportunities that led to her success. 

    Holmes loved air traffic control, but things changed after she was in a tower hit by lightning during a tropical storm. She sustained serious injuries. 

    “I could go back to air traffic control, but I was never as sharp. I was never as quick at it. And I couldn’t settle for that.”

    Following military service, Holmes pursued a career in technology and later transitioned to a hospice chaplain.

    Today she calls Springdale home and participates in a number of veteran organizations to support her fellow servicemembers.

    “I have fulfilled a promise I made a very young girl in me, that I would see the world and I would have adventures. And the Army kicked that off for me. If you can go to a country where you know nobody and nothing, you can find your way. And in the military people do have your back. And I don’t think a civilian can quite understand what that means. I don’t think I could even put it into words, but it’s something sacred.”

    “I’m grateful for Debra Holmes’ dedication and service to our nation. Her time in uniform serves as a reminder of the adversity women faced on their path to military success and the responsibility we have to honor our commitment to support the men and women who answered the call to serve. I’m honored to collect and preserve her memories,” Boozman said.

    Boozman submitted Holmes’ entire interview to the Veterans History Project and will continue to mark the program’s 25th anniversary this year with events in several Arkansas communities to conduct interviews with veterans and train those interested in learning how to participate.

    An interview day is scheduled for April 30 at the Fort Chaffee Barbershop and Military Museum. To learn more, contact Kathy Watson in the senator’s Fort Smith office at 479-573-0189.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The battle for Khartoum: tracking Sudan’s war over two years

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Kagure Gacheche, Commissioning Editor, East Africa

    Sudan has been engulfed in brutal conflict since 15 April 2023, when tensions between the country’s two most powerful military factions erupted into civil war.

    The conflict stems from a long-standing power struggle over military control and integration. Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces began in the capital, Khartoum, and quickly spread across the country. International efforts to broker peace since have largely failed.

    The conflict, which has been going on for two years now, has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies.

    An estimated 30 million Sudanese civilians are in need of aid. Brutal attacks, looting and destruction of infrastructure have become commonplace. Millions of people lack access to essential medical care. Food shortages and economic collapse have worsened the suffering.

    The war has also triggered a massive displacement crisis, with more than 14 million people forced to flee their homes. Many have sought refuge in neighbouring countries, while others remain trapped in dangerous conditions within Sudan.

    As the conflict drags on, the toll on Sudan’s people continues to grow. Estimates of those killed vary widely, from 20,000 to 62,000, but the actual figure could be much larger.

    With no clear resolution in sight, Sudan’s crisis is one of the most urgent and devastating conflicts in the world. At The Conversation Africa, we have worked with academics who have tracked the conflict since 2023.

    Weapons flow

    Early on, it was clear that both the Sudanese army and the paramilitary force had a sufficient supply of weapons to sustain a protracted conflict. The country was already awash with firearms. It is ranked second – after Egypt – among its regional neighbours in total firearms estimates. Khristopher Carlson, part of a research project tracking small arms and armed violence in Sudan, noted that the two Sudanese forces might have different fighting methods but were adequately equipped to trade fire. The army’s superiority was its air force and heavy arsenal on the ground. The paramilitary force relied on nimble mobile units equipped primarily with small and light weapons.

    Read more: Sudan is awash with weapons: how the two forces compare and what that means for the war

    External interference

    This proliferation of weapons has been compounded by financial and military support from external states. Various foreign players – Chad, Egypt, Iran, Libya, Qatar and Russia – have picked a side to support. However, the influence of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates has been particularly problematic. Political scientist Federico Donelli explained that the two nations viewed Sudan as a key nation because of its location. Following President Omar al-Bashir’s ouster in 2019, the two monarchies bet on different factions within Sudan’s security apparatus. This external support exacerbated internal competition. Riyadh maintained close ties with army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Abu Dhabi aligned itself with the head of the Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Dagalo, or Hemedti.

    Read more: Middle Eastern monarchies in Sudan’s war: what’s driving their interests

    Regional dynamics

    The support from international players in Sudan’s war has had a damaging effect on regional dynamics. The Sudanese army recently accused the United Arab Emirates of supplying the Rapid Support Forces with weapons through Chad. At a ceremony for an officer killed in a drone strike carried out by paramilitary forces, a senior army official said Chad’s airports would be “legitimate targets” should retaliatory action become necessary. This heightened the risk of a spillover of the Sudanese conflict. Sudan shares borders with seven countries in an unstable region, including Chad, South Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia. Economics professor and legal expert John Mukum Mbaku warned that a spillover of the fighting could devastate the region economically, socially and politically.

    Read more: Sudan’s conflict will have a ripple effect in an unstable region – and across the world

    Protecting civilians

    The conflict has put millions of civilians in Sudan in the crossfire. A UN report in September 2024 called for an independent force to protect civilians; Sudan’s officials rejected the proposal. However, peace talks have yet to achieve a lasting ceasefire. Sudan had a peacekeeping force between 2007 and 2020, followed by a UN-led political mission that exited in February 2024. Since then, there has been no security presence in Sudan responsible for protecting civilians. Peacekeeping researcher Jenna Russo noted the need for a regional or international peace force that could create “green zones”. This would help protect areas where displaced persons were sheltering and facilitate humanitarian aid.

    Read more: Sudan’s civilians urgently need protection: the options for international peacekeeping

    What’s been missing?

    High-level peace talks brokered by the African Union and the UN to negotiate a ceasefire have largely been unsuccessful, putting civilians at constant risk. Talks held in Switzerland and Jeddah have had little impact. Philipp Kastner, a peace scholar, highlighted that the countries hosting or supporting these talks were pursuing competing interests in Sudan, which affected their impartiality. Progress to negotiate an end to the war would be unlikely if external military support to the warring parties continued unabated. Civilians would continue to pay the price.

    Read more: Sudan at war: the art of peace talks and why they often fail

    – The battle for Khartoum: tracking Sudan’s war over two years
    – https://theconversation.com/the-battle-for-khartoum-tracking-sudans-war-over-two-years-253242

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press Release – Alderney’s Marine Resource Potential Thursday 27 March 2025

    Source: Channel Islands – States of Alderney

    Press Release

    Date:  26th March 2025

    Alderney’s Marine Resource Potential

    The States of Guernsey’s Policy & Resources Offshore Wind Sub-Committee has released its Policy Letter, indicating that there is significant value of the Guernsey seabed as an asset to be developed for the export of energy from a wind farm development.

    The initial Guernsey evaluation indicates a resource of some 1.27 GW with, potentially, significant value. Work by Alderney’s Marine Working Group, a sub-committee of the Policy & Finance Committee, indicates that Alderney has a similar sized resource with similar potential to the west of the Island.

    Further details can be found on the States of Guernsey website on the following link:

    Policy & Resources Committee seeks Assembly agreement to further examine offshore wind potential – States of Guernsey

    The Marine Working Group’s lead Bill Abel said that:

    Alderney’s Marine Working Group has had, positive, initial discussions with representatives of the Guernsey Offshore Wind Sub-Committee as to Alderney’s involvement in the next phases of Guernsey’s work on the development of offshore wind resources.

    Mr Abel added:

    “We thank the Guernsey Offshore Wind Sub-Committee for reaching out and considering Alderney’s inclusion in the next phases of their work as there is significant value for Alderney and the Bailiwick, with both Islands working together, and look forward to further discussions.

    The potential benefits to the Island are recognised. These will not only be realised from the revenues related to the use of its tidal and wind marine resources but will also bring development and jobs to the Island emphasising that commercial harbour and airport facilities are essential for our future.” 

    Ends

    States of Alderney media enquiries:Publications@alderney.gov.gg

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The battle for Khartoum: tracking Sudan’s war over two years

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Kagure Gacheche, Commissioning Editor, East Africa

    Sudan has been engulfed in brutal conflict since 15 April 2023, when tensions between the country’s two most powerful military factions erupted into civil war.

    The conflict stems from a long-standing power struggle over military control and integration. Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces began in the capital, Khartoum, and quickly spread across the country. International efforts to broker peace since have largely failed.

    The conflict, which has been going on for two years now, has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies.

    An estimated 30 million Sudanese civilians are in need of aid. Brutal attacks, looting and destruction of infrastructure have become commonplace. Millions of people lack access to essential medical care. Food shortages and economic collapse have worsened the suffering.

    The war has also triggered a massive displacement crisis, with more than 14 million people forced to flee their homes. Many have sought refuge in neighbouring countries, while others remain trapped in dangerous conditions within Sudan.

    As the conflict drags on, the toll on Sudan’s people continues to grow. Estimates of those killed vary widely, from 20,000 to 62,000, but the actual figure could be much larger.

    With no clear resolution in sight, Sudan’s crisis is one of the most urgent and devastating conflicts in the world. At The Conversation Africa, we have worked with academics who have tracked the conflict since 2023.

    Weapons flow

    Early on, it was clear that both the Sudanese army and the paramilitary force had a sufficient supply of weapons to sustain a protracted conflict. The country was already awash with firearms. It is ranked second – after Egypt – among its regional neighbours in total firearms estimates. Khristopher Carlson, part of a research project tracking small arms and armed violence in Sudan, noted that the two Sudanese forces might have different fighting methods but were adequately equipped to trade fire. The army’s superiority was its air force and heavy arsenal on the ground. The paramilitary force relied on nimble mobile units equipped primarily with small and light weapons.



    Read more:
    Sudan is awash with weapons: how the two forces compare and what that means for the war

    External interference

    This proliferation of weapons has been compounded by financial and military support from external states. Various foreign players – Chad, Egypt, Iran, Libya, Qatar and Russia – have picked a side to support. However, the influence of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates has been particularly problematic. Political scientist Federico Donelli explained that the two nations viewed Sudan as a key nation because of its location. Following President Omar al-Bashir’s ouster in 2019, the two monarchies bet on different factions within Sudan’s security apparatus. This external support exacerbated internal competition. Riyadh maintained close ties with army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Abu Dhabi aligned itself with the head of the Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Dagalo, or Hemedti.



    Read more:
    Middle Eastern monarchies in Sudan’s war: what’s driving their interests

    Regional dynamics

    The support from international players in Sudan’s war has had a damaging effect on regional dynamics. The Sudanese army recently accused the United Arab Emirates of supplying the Rapid Support Forces with weapons through Chad. At a ceremony for an officer killed in a drone strike carried out by paramilitary forces, a senior army official said Chad’s airports would be “legitimate targets” should retaliatory action become necessary. This heightened the risk of a spillover of the Sudanese conflict. Sudan shares borders with seven countries in an unstable region, including Chad, South Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia. Economics professor and legal expert John Mukum Mbaku warned that a spillover of the fighting could devastate the region economically, socially and politically.



    Read more:
    Sudan’s conflict will have a ripple effect in an unstable region – and across the world

    Protecting civilians

    The conflict has put millions of civilians in Sudan in the crossfire. A UN report in September 2024 called for an independent force to protect civilians; Sudan’s officials rejected the proposal. However, peace talks have yet to achieve a lasting ceasefire. Sudan had a peacekeeping force between 2007 and 2020, followed by a UN-led political mission that exited in February 2024. Since then, there has been no security presence in Sudan responsible for protecting civilians. Peacekeeping researcher Jenna Russo noted the need for a regional or international peace force that could create “green zones”. This would help protect areas where displaced persons were sheltering and facilitate humanitarian aid.



    Read more:
    Sudan’s civilians urgently need protection: the options for international peacekeeping

    What’s been missing?

    High-level peace talks brokered by the African Union and the UN to negotiate a ceasefire have largely been unsuccessful, putting civilians at constant risk. Talks held in Switzerland and Jeddah have had little impact. Philipp Kastner, a peace scholar, highlighted that the countries hosting or supporting these talks were pursuing competing interests in Sudan, which affected their impartiality. Progress to negotiate an end to the war would be unlikely if external military support to the warring parties continued unabated. Civilians would continue to pay the price.



    Read more:
    Sudan at war: the art of peace talks and why they often fail

    – ref. The battle for Khartoum: tracking Sudan’s war over two years – https://theconversation.com/the-battle-for-khartoum-tracking-sudans-war-over-two-years-253242

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Sudan army takes back Khartoum: tracking the war over two years

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Kagure Gacheche, Commissioning Editor, East Africa

    Sudan has been engulfed in brutal conflict since 15 April 2023, when tensions between the country’s two most powerful military factions erupted into civil war.

    The conflict stems from a long-standing power struggle over military control and integration. Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces began in the capital, Khartoum, and quickly spread across the country. International efforts to broker peace since have largely failed.

    The conflict, which has been going on for two years now, has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies.

    An estimated 30 million Sudanese civilians are in need of aid. Brutal attacks, looting and destruction of infrastructure have become commonplace. Millions of people lack access to essential medical care. Food shortages and economic collapse have worsened the suffering.

    The war has also triggered a massive displacement crisis, with more than 14 million people forced to flee their homes. Many have sought refuge in neighbouring countries, while others remain trapped in dangerous conditions within Sudan.

    As the conflict drags on, the toll on Sudan’s people continues to grow. Estimates of those killed vary widely, from 20,000 to 62,000, but the actual figure could be much larger.

    With no clear resolution in sight, Sudan’s crisis is one of the most urgent and devastating conflicts in the world. At The Conversation Africa, we have worked with academics who have tracked the conflict since 2023.

    Weapons flow

    Early on, it was clear that both the Sudanese army and the paramilitary force had a sufficient supply of weapons to sustain a protracted conflict. The country was already awash with firearms. It is ranked second – after Egypt – among its regional neighbours in total firearms estimates. Khristopher Carlson, part of a research project tracking small arms and armed violence in Sudan, noted that the two Sudanese forces might have different fighting methods but were adequately equipped to trade fire. The army’s superiority was its air force and heavy arsenal on the ground. The paramilitary force relied on nimble mobile units equipped primarily with small and light weapons.

    Read more: Sudan is awash with weapons: how the two forces compare and what that means for the war

    External interference

    This proliferation of weapons has been compounded by financial and military support from external states. Various foreign players – Chad, Egypt, Iran, Libya, Qatar and Russia – have picked a side to support. However, the influence of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates has been particularly problematic. Political scientist Federico Donelli explained that the two nations viewed Sudan as a key nation because of its location. Following President Omar al-Bashir’s ouster in 2019, the two monarchies bet on different factions within Sudan’s security apparatus. This external support exacerbated internal competition. Riyadh maintained close ties with army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Abu Dhabi aligned itself with the head of the Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Dagalo, or Hemedti.

    Read more: Middle Eastern monarchies in Sudan’s war: what’s driving their interests

    Regional dynamics

    The support from international players in Sudan’s war has had a damaging effect on regional dynamics. The Sudanese army recently accused the United Arab Emirates of supplying the Rapid Support Forces with weapons through Chad. At a ceremony for an officer killed in a drone strike carried out by paramilitary forces, a senior army official said Chad’s airports would be “legitimate targets” should retaliatory action become necessary. This heightened the risk of a spillover of the Sudanese conflict. Sudan shares borders with seven countries in an unstable region, including Chad, South Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia. Economics professor and legal expert John Mukum Mbaku warned that a spillover of the fighting could devastate the region economically, socially and politically.

    Read more: Sudan’s conflict will have a ripple effect in an unstable region – and across the world

    Protecting civilians

    The conflict has put millions of civilians in Sudan in the crossfire. A UN report in September 2024 called for an independent force to protect civilians; Sudan’s officials rejected the proposal. However, peace talks have yet to achieve a lasting ceasefire. Sudan had a peacekeeping force between 2007 and 2020, followed by a UN-led political mission that exited in February 2024. Since then, there has been no security presence in Sudan responsible for protecting civilians. Peacekeeping researcher Jenna Russo noted the need for a regional or international peace force that could create “green zones”. This would help protect areas where displaced persons were sheltering and facilitate humanitarian aid.

    Read more: Sudan’s civilians urgently need protection: the options for international peacekeeping

    What’s been missing?

    High-level peace talks brokered by the African Union and the UN to negotiate a ceasefire have largely been unsuccessful, putting civilians at constant risk. Talks held in Switzerland and Jeddah have had little impact. Philipp Kastner, a peace scholar, highlighted that the countries hosting or supporting these talks were pursuing competing interests in Sudan, which affected their impartiality. Progress to negotiate an end to the war would be unlikely if external military support to the warring parties continued unabated. Civilians would continue to pay the price.

    Read more: Sudan at war: the art of peace talks and why they often fail

    – Sudan army takes back Khartoum: tracking the war over two years
    – https://theconversation.com/sudan-army-takes-back-khartoum-tracking-the-war-over-two-years-253242

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier meets French FM

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, March 27 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Thursday in Beijing.

    In the current international situation, China and France — as independent, mature and responsible major countries — should strengthen communication and coordination to inject more stability and certainty into the common development of the two countries and the world, Li said.

    He said China is willing to work with France to follow the strategic guidance of their two heads of state, maintain close high-level exchanges, expand mutually-beneficial cooperation, and strengthen multilateral coordination on issues including climate change response to bring more benefits to the two peoples and the world.

    Li noted that as staunch defenders of free trade and multilateralism, China and France, with closely intertwined economic interests, should work together to resist protectionism and unilateralism, continue strengthening cooperation with an open attitude, and give full play to their complementary advantages to add impetus to the economic development of the two countries continuously.

    China has always regarded France as an important cooperation partner and stands ready to work with the country. While strengthening long-standing cooperation on aviation, aerospace and nuclear energy, they should continuously tap into cooperation potential in emerging and future industries such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence and biotechnology to foster and strengthen new economic drivers, Li said.

    China hopes that France will create a fair, equitable and predictable development environment for Chinese enterprises investing in the country, he added.

    This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the EU. China is ready to use this as an opportunity to deepen bilateral relations, and address concerns through dialogue and consultation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits, Li said, expressing the hope that France will play a positive role in this regard.

    Barrot said that in the face of increasing uncertainties in today’s world, France and China — as permanent members of the UN Security Council — should shoulder their important, joint responsibility of safeguarding multilateralism.

    France attaches great importance to its relations with China and is willing to work with China to actively implement the important consensus reached by their two heads of state, expand mutually beneficial cooperation in such fields as trade, investment, science and technology, and to tackle climate change and other global challenges, Barrot said.

    France always adheres to strategic independence, and opposes trade protectionism and trade wars. France supports the EU and China strengthening dialogue and cooperation in the economic and trade fields, addressing the concerns of both sides in a proper manner, and exploring more positive agendas, he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Drone Manufacturers Racing to Introduce Latest Technology as Global Aerial Survey Services Market Projected to Reach $790 Billion By 2031

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Many investors have been watching the drone industry consistently growing over the past years and are expecting the same expansions to continue. The popularity of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for aerial imagery is quickly expanding this market. A report from Verified Market Research said that the Aerial Survey Services Market size, which was valued at USD 22.67 Billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 791.21 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 55.90% during the forecast period 2024-2031. The report added: “The rising use of drone services for industry-specific solutions, improved regulatory framework, and increased demand for qualitative data in various industries are projected to boost the expansion of the Drone Aerial Survey Services Market. Aerial imaging is being more widely used in defense applications. Natural calamities are becoming more common. Aerial camera systems have been improving steadily. Drone technology has attracted venture capital investment. During the forecast period, the enterprise segment of the Aerial Survey Services Market is expected to grow at the fastest rate. All industries benefit from enterprise solutions because they provide end-to-end services. The enterprise solution segment is being driven by the rising demand for analytical services and software solutions in the Aerial Survey Services Market.” Active Companies in the drone industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), KULR Technology Group, Inc. (NYSE American: KULR).

    Verified Market Research continued: “A rise in demand from a variety of industries is fueling the growth of the Drone Aerial Survey Services Market. Aerial photography is used in agriculture to track effective changes in yield production, crop health management, and soil improvement. Aerial imaging services are needed by the defense sector to protect border areas and prepare map structures. Aerial imaging services are also being used more widely in research and exploration, archaeological surveys, mining, oil and gas, and resource management. The Drone Aerial Survey Services Market is still in its early stages of development, and the expansion of application areas is expected to accelerate market growth over the forecast period. During the coronavirus pandemic, aerial imaging helped the construction industry. The benefits of aerial imaging for contracted surveying, onsite inspections, and design planning applications have been augmented by the construction, roofing, and solar industries.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Signs LOI to Acquire Eighth Land Survey Company Advancing Drone as a Service in a $2.5 Billion US Drone Survey Market by 2033 – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, announces that it has signed an LOI (Letter of Intent) to acquire an eighth land survey engineering company which marks the second LOI located in Arizona. Upon completion, these locations will serve as a launchpad to further Southwest regional development and contribute to the Company’s national DaaS business model intended to bring the speed and precision of ZenaDrone’s AI drone solutions in a convenient subscription or pay-per-use model for businesses and government users.

    “Arizona is strategic to our US operations as the base of our subsidiary ZenaDrone where our second drone manufacturing facility will be. Our vision with Drone as a Service is to capture part of the drone survey market that is growing by double-digits and is expected to reach USD $2.5 billion by 2033. We plan to build our national presence offering ZenaDrone products and services for land surveys and many other applications,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.

    According to Fact.MR, the global drone surveying market is poised for substantial growth and is expected to be worth over USD $8 billion globally by 2033 of which North America is expected to represent 35%. This market is expanding at a CAGR of over 19%, driven by increasing demand from industries such as construction, agriculture, and infrastructure development. Within the drone surveying market, land surveys represent 53%, with significant adoption in real estate, urban planning, environmental applications and infrastructure projects.

    Drones as a Service or DaaS works similarly to Software as a Service (SaaS), but instead of providing software over the internet, this business model offers drone technology solutions and services on a subscription or pay-per-use basis. With DaaS, businesses and government customers can conveniently access drones for tasks such as surveying, inspections, security, law enforcement, or precision agriculture solutions without having to buy, operate or maintain the drones themselves.

    ZenaTech’s DaaS model offers customers including government agencies, builders and real estate developers, construction firms and farmers reduced upfront costs as there is no need to purchase expensive drones, and convenience as the company manages maintenance and operation. DaaS also offers scalability to companies to use more often or less often based on their needs and enables access to advanced drone technology and applications without the need for specialized training or equipment.

    Accurate land surveys are essential for the planning, design, and execution of roads, bridges, and building projects for cities, commercial, and residential projects, and are required for legal purposes. Remotely piloted drones with an array of sensors and cameras, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and GPS systems for capturing high-resolution pictures and data are revolutionizing the land survey industry gathering aerial data across expansive terrains in a matter of hours instead of weeks or months using more traditional photogrammetry methods.   Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    In Additional ZENA News: ZenaTech’s (NASDAQ:ZENA) ZenaDrone Developing Indoor Drone Swarm Application for Inventory Management and Security with Auto Parts Manufacturer Customer – ZenaTech, Inc. this week also announced its subsidiary ZenaDrone is developing a drone swarm application using multiple indoor IQ Nano drones for inventory management and security applications. ZenaDrone is conducting this development with its auto parts manufacturer customer where it is currently engaged in a paid trial.

    A drone swarm is a coordinated group of autonomous drones that communicate and work together using AI and real-time data sharing, to perform tasks collaboratively without direct human control. Drone swarms can enhance efficiency, accuracy, automation and performance compared to a single drone.

    “We are pioneering the development of autonomous drone swarm technology, revolutionizing indoor inventory management and warehouse security by providing real-time, more accurate stock tracking and surveillance with reduced manual processes. We believe this technology will enable warehouses to operate more efficiently, reduce costs, and enhance safety and security while setting a new industry standard for AI drones,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.   Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.zenatech.com/newsroom/

    Other recent developments in the drone industry include:

    Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, recently announced that financial results for the 2024 Stub Period (as of December 31, 2024 and the eight months then ended) will be reported on Monday, March 31, 2025 at the market close.

    Company management will host an earnings conference call at 4:30p.m. ET on Monday, March 31, 2025 to review financial results and provide an update on corporate developments. Following management’s formal remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session.

    Interested parties can listen to the conference call by dialing 1-844-413-3977 (within the U.S.) or 1-412-317-1803 (international). Callers should dial in approximately ten minutes prior to the start time and ask to be connected to the Red Cat conference call. Participants can also pre-register for the call using the following link: https://dpregister.com/sreg/10198203/fecb0dc7ae

    AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) recently reported financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended January 25, 2025. “We faced a number of short-term challenges in the third quarter, including the unprecedented high winds and fires in Southern California, which impacted our ability to meet our goals,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Nevertheless, we made significant progress towards executing our long-term growth strategy and building resiliency for the future.

    “This quarter, we booked record Switchblade and Jump-20 orders, which helped expand our backlog to a record $764 million. We also announced our new Utah manufacturing facility, which will more than double our Switchblade capacity and provide resiliency against regional weather events. Finally, we made significant progress towards completing our BlueHalo acquisition, which we now expect to close in the second quarter of calendar year 2025. While this has been a transition year pivoting away from Ukraine demand, we still expect a strong fiscal year 2025 including record fourth quarter revenue.”

    KULR Technology Group, Inc. (NYSE American: KULR) recently announced will hold a conference call on Thursday, March 27th at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. Pacific time) to discuss its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024. The financial results will be issued in a press release prior to the call.

    KULR management will host the conference call, followed by a question-and-answer period. Interested parties can submit relevant questions prior to the call to Stuart Smith at SmallCapVoice.Com, Inc. via email: ssmith@smallcapvoice.com by 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, March 21st, 2025. Mr. Smith will compile a list of questions and submit them to the Company prior to the conference call. The questions that will get addressed will be based on the relevance to the shareholder base, and the appropriateness of the questions in light of public disclosure rules.

    AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS) recently announced the appointment of Steve Mathias as Vice President of Global Sales and Business Development and Erik de Badts as Global Head of MicaSense Sales. AgEagle CEO Bill Irby commented, “As we execute a multi-faceted strategic growth plan focused on expanding our global footprint, the addition of both Steve and Erik’s impressive pedigrees will drive innovation, foster collaboration, and ensure that we remain agile in an evolving UAS marketplace. Steve brings multi-decade expertise in military and commercial aviation, both crewed and uncrewed, while Erik is a true subject matter expert in multi-spectral sensing. We are confident their leadership will help strengthen key partner relationships, unlock new opportunities, and accelerate revenue growth.”

    Steve Mathias is an aerospace business executive with over 30 years of senior leadership experience in both the military and aerospace industry. Prior to joining AgEagle, he served as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Growth at GKN Aerospace Defense, a leading global technology company specializing in advanced aerostructures and engine systems. Before his role at GKN Aerospace, Mr. Mathias was Vice President of Global Sales and Strategy at Bell Helicopter, where he led all domestic and international vertical lift defense sales, including both crewed and uncrewed systems. His background as a U.S. Army Officer includes significant special operations and conventional aviation experience with both manned and unmanned systems. In his final Army assignment, Steve served as the Deputy Chief of Staff G-8 for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, overseeing the requirements and Program Objective Memorandum (POM) processes for over 200 Army and Special Operations air and land programs.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ohio Unifi Ramp Workers Vote to Join IAM Union, Seeking Fair Pay and Better Working Conditions

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    In a resounding victory, over 50 ramp workers at Unifi Aviation in Cleveland have voted overwhelmingly to join the IAM, following nearly a year of dedicated organizing efforts to address low wages and poor treatment by management. 

    Ramp workers at Unifi have faced many challenges, including excessive workloads, lack of support, and broken promises from management regarding improvements in their working conditions. Despite the physically demanding nature of their roles, these workers have consistently demonstrated their dedication and hard work without receiving the respect or compensation they deserve.

    “The organizing campaign was built on strong worker solidarity and open conversations,” said IAM Local 1363 Directing Business Representative Tim Verlinden. “We created a space for daily discussions and strategic planning within the internal committee, allowing us to navigate the many challenges we faced during this process. By staying united and committed, these workers were able to push forward and make their voices heard.”

    The ramp agents play a crucial role in airport operations. They are responsible for loading and unloading aircraft, handling baggage, directing planes to gates, and ensuring safety procedures are followed. 

    “This vote is a clear indication that workers are no longer willing to accept less than what they deserve,”  said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “By joining the IAM, they’re choosing to fight for a brighter future, better treatment, and fair compensation.” 

    Recently, approximately 60 Unifi Aviation ground handling workers based in San Jose, Calif., also voted to join the IAM.

    “This vote marks a significant victory for the ramp workers at Unifi Aviation, and we are proud to welcome them into the IAM,” said IAM Air Transport General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “As their new union siblings, we stand united in this fight, and together we will ensure their voices are heard loud and clear until they obtain their first union contract.”

    Unifi Aviation operates in approximately 180 airports across the United States performing ground handling and other services for airlines.

    Share and Follow:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Singapore to battle test its defense capabilities through Cope Tiger military exercise, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Following the announcement of the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) participation in the military exercise “Cope Tiger”;

    Harshavardhan Dabbiru, Aerospace and Defense Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view:

    “The participation of the RSAF alongside Thailand and the US in the joint military exercise Cope Tiger 2025, which started on March 17, 2025, and is scheduled to conclude on March 28, 2025, underscores Singapore’s commitment to strengthening its military interoperability while battle testing its defense platforms and associated capabilities. By deploying 26 manned and unmanned aircraft, 10 ground-based air defense systems, and over 700 personnel, Singapore is demonstrating its ability to conduct multi-domain warfare. The country is also testing synergies between both manned and unmanned platforms for intelligence gathering and enhancing its air defense capabilities.

    “Located near the Strait of Malacca, a critical chokepoint in global trade, Singapore is a key hub for international commerce, which also makes it vulnerable to attacks on its critical infrastructure, especially due to any unprecedented conflict between the US and China. While Singapore prioritizes military preparedness, it also maintains a delicate diplomatic balance, fostering strong ties with both the US and China, the two major military powers active in the region.

    “As geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific intensify, Singapore’s strategic location and defense capabilities make it a valuable partner for its regional allies. Although the country faces no imminent territorial threats, rising South China Sea tensions heighten the risk of entanglement in regional conflicts, reinforcing the need to maintain a combat-ready force. In this regard, Singapore’s participation in exercise Cope Tiger underscores its commitment to air combat readiness and interoperability with allies in an evolving security landscape.

    “To safeguard its sovereignty, Singapore, one of the world’s highest per capita defense spenders, continues to invest heavily in advanced defense capabilities. According to GlobalData’s latest report “Singapore Defense Market Size, Trends, Budget Allocation, Regulations, Acquisitions, Competitive Landscape and Forecast to 2030,” the island nation allocated $17.7 billion towards its defense budget in 2025, and it is forecast to grow at a CAGR of more than 4% during 2025-2030. As Singapore deploys its aerial assets and ground-based air defense systems in the ongoing military exercise, it is worth noting that the country is projected to invest $6.8 billion for procuring various types of military fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft platforms. Singapore is also expected to spend another $1 billion on acquiring missiles and missile defense systems between 2025 and 2034.

    “To maintain its relevance in the regional power struggles, Singapore will continue to acquire advanced military platforms and deploy them in multinational joint exercises such as Cope Tiger over this decade.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Air India Express and Willis Lease Finance Corporation Ink Engine Sale & Leasebacks with ConstantThrust®

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    COCONUT CREEK, Fla., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Air India Express (“AIX”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India, has signed definitive engine sale and leaseback agreements with Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC” or the “Company”) for 26 CFM56-7B engines installed on 13 of its Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The engines will be covered under WLFC’s ConstantThrust® program providing enhanced reliability and significant cost savings compared to traditional MRO shop visits. This program is in addition to the ConstantThrust® program signed by WLFC and Air India in 2022, covering 34 CFM56-5B engines installed on Air India’s Airbus A320 family fleet. Both programs will be managed in part by WLFC’s team located in GIFT City, India.

    WLFC’s ConstantThrust® program helps airlines manage the risk and cost of engine overhauls by providing serviceable engines from its portfolio in place of engines that need to be removed for maintenance. This streamlined process reduces engine downtime, eliminates maintenance unpredictability, and lowers engine change costs, enabling airlines to focus on their core operations without disruption.

    “WLFC’s ConstantThrust® program has been successful so far for Air India and we are pleased to expand our partnership with WLFC in support of the Air India Express fleet,” said Aloke Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Air India. “This agreement allows us to eliminate the uncertainties associated with engine maintenance and mitigate unpredictable costs. WLFC’s ConstantThrust® program will help us improve fleet reliability, reduce cost and optimize cash flows.”

    “We believe Air India Express’ decision to select ConstantThrust® evidences that Air India is realizing value from our ConstantThrust® program and also validates our team’s performance on that program, ” said Brian R. Hole, President of Willis Lease Finance Corporation. “This is a great opportunity for us to continue supporting the growth of the Indian aviation industry, in general, and the Air India family of airlines, specifically.”

    “We greatly value our long-standing relationship with Air India and are excited to continue providing innovative, programmatic solutions that deliver enhanced flexibility and cost efficiency for Air India Express and our global customers,” said Austin C. Willis, Chief Executive Officer of WLFC.

    Willis Lease Finance Corporation
    Willis Lease Finance Corporation (“WLFC”) leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines, auxiliary power units and aircraft to airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers and maintenance, repair, and overhaul providers worldwide. These leasing activities are integrated with engine and aircraft trading, engine lease pools and asset management services through Willis Asset Management Limited, as well as various end-of-life solutions for engines and aviation materials provided through Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. Through Willis Engine Repair Center®, Jet Centre by Willis, and Willis Aviation Services Limited, the Company’s service offerings include Part 145 engine maintenance, aircraft line and base maintenance, aircraft disassembly, parking and storage, airport FBO and ground and cargo handling services.

    Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Do not unduly rely on forward-looking statements, which give only expectations about the future and are not guarantees. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which the forward-looking statement is based, except as required by law. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: the effects on the airline industry and the global economy of events such as war, terrorist activity and the COVID-19 pandemic; changes in oil prices, rising inflation and other disruptions to world markets; trends in the airline industry and our ability to capitalize on those trends, including growth rates of markets and other economic factors; risks associated with owning and leasing jet engines and aircraft; our ability to successfully negotiate equipment purchases, sales and leases, to collect outstanding amounts due and to control costs and expenses; changes in interest rates and availability of capital, both to us and our customers; our ability to continue to meet changing customer demands; regulatory changes affecting airline operations, aircraft maintenance, accounting standards and taxes; the market value of engines and other assets in our portfolio; and risks detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other continuing  and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is advisable, however, to consult any further disclosures the Company makes on related subjects in such filings. These statements constitute the Company’s cautionary statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

    NEWS RELEASE CONTACT:  Lynn Mailliard Kohler
         Director, Global Corporate Communications
       (415) 328-4798

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: ​A ‘Google maps for the sea’, sails ​and alternative fuels: ​the technologies steering shipping towards ​lower emissions – podcast

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

    petrugusa94/Shutterstock

     Ships transport around 80% of the world’s cargo. From your food, to your car to your phone, chances are it got to you by sea. The vast majority of the world’s container ships burn fossil fuels, which is why 3% of global emissions come from shipping – slightly more than the 2.5% of emissions from aviation.

    The race is on to reduce these emissions, and quickly, to meet the Paris agreement targets. In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we find out what technologies are available to shipping companies to reduce their carbon emissions – from sails, to alternative fuels or simply taking a better route.

    “ We live in a world of information. The biggest challenge is knowing how to use it,” says Daniel Precioso, a data scientist at IE University in Madrid, Spain. He’s part of a team of researchers that developed a platform called Green Navigation, what he calls a “Google maps for the sea”. Pulling together publicly available data on wind, waves and ocean currents, it can suggest new routes to ship captains to optimise their journey from A to B and reduce carbon emissions.

    Precioso presented the project in November 2024 in Dubai at the Prototypes for Humanity exhibition organised by Dubai Future Solutions as a showcase for young researchers designing solutions for global challenges.

    Pressure mounting

    Route optimisation software like Green Navigation is seen as a transition between the status quo and a future where ships will move to using alternative, greener fuels.

     The UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) has a target for zero emissions from shipping by 2050 and a strive target of 30% reductions by 2030 relative to 2008 levels.

    In early April, IMO member states will meet to discuss a proposal to introduce a flat rate tax on carbon emitted by commercial shipping. If adopted, shipping companies would have to pay a levy, the price of which is still being worked out, for every tonne of carbon dioxide they emit. The money would sit in a fund run by the IMO, which would be used to help developing countries reduce maritime emissions.

    The proposal is supported by 47 countries, and it’s being pushed particularly by island nations most at risk from climate change, and flag states, those countries such as the Bahamas, Liberia and the Marshall Islands, where a lot of international ships are registered.

    What’s the alternative?

    If the flat tax is adopted it would add an extra financial incentive for ships to reduce their emissions and potentially move to greener alternative fuels. But Alice Larkin, professor of climate science and energy policy at the University of Manchester in the UK, says unfortunately it’s not currently cost efficient to switch away from fossil fuels.

     The challenge is that when you’re moving away from something which was naturally the cheapest, easiest fuel to come by and to burn, then inevitably if all you’re doing is literally swapping the fuel for a different fuel that is much cleaner, then that is going to be more expensive, at least in the short term.

    A number of alternative fuels are being explored, such as green hydrogen, biodiesel, biomethane and green ammonia. But Larkin says no alternative fuel is currently emerging as a frontrunner, making it difficult for shipping companies to know what to invest in and creating inertia in the transition to greener fuels.

    She stresses the need to reduce emissions in the shorter term to help keep the world below 1.5 degrees of warming. Options include strategies like route optimisation, sail, or wind-assist technologies, or for ships to travel at a slower speed. Larkin and her colleagues modelled the potential impact from these technologies and found combinations of these technologies could reduce a ship’s emissions by up to a third.

    Listen to the full episode of The Conversation Weekly to hear conversations with Daniel Precisio and Alice Larkin.

    This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Gemma Ware and Mend Mariwany. Sound design was by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

    Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here.

    Daniel Precioso Garcelán own shares of Canonical Green, the company who develops Green Navigation. The company received funding from the city of Valencia, Spain for development and marketing. Alice Larkin has received research funding from EPSRC, INNOVATE UK funding, International Chamber of Shipping Funding and University of Manchester Alumni Funding. She is a fellow of the Institute of Physics and of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

    – ref. ​A ‘Google maps for the sea’, sails ​and alternative fuels: ​the technologies steering shipping towards ​lower emissions – podcast – https://theconversation.com/a-google-maps-for-the-sea-sails-and-alternative-fuels-the-technologies-steering-shipping-towards-lower-emissions-podcast-253088

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA’s X-59 Completes ‘Cruise Control’ Engine Speed Hold Test

    Source: NASA

    The team behind NASA’s X-59 completed another critical ground test in March, ensuring the quiet supersonic aircraft will be able to maintain a specific speed during operation. The test, known as engine speed hold, is the latest marker of progress as the X-59 nears first flight this year.
    “Engine speed hold is essentially the aircraft’s version of cruise control,” said Paul Dees, NASA’s X-59 deputy propulsion lead at the agency’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. “The pilot engages speed hold at their current speed, then can adjust it incrementally up or down as needed.”
    The X-59 team had previously conducted a similar test on the engine – but only as an isolated system. The March test verified the speed hold functions properly after integration into the aircraft’s avionics.
    “We needed to verify that speed hold worked not just within the engine itself but as part of the entire aircraft system.” Dees explained. “This test confirmed that all components – software, mechanical linkages, and control laws – work together as intended.”
    The successful test confirmed the aircraft’s ability to precisely control speed, which will be invaluable during flight. This capability will increase pilot safety, allowing them to focus on other critical aspects of flight operation.
    “The pilot is going to be very busy during first flight, ensuring the aircraft is stable and controllable,” Dees said. “Having speed hold offload some of that workload makes first flight that much safer.”
    The team originally planned to check the speed hold as part of an upcoming series of ground test trials where they will feed the aircraft with a robust set of data to verify functionality under both normal and failure conditions, known as aluminum bird tests. But the team recognized a chance to test sooner.
    “It was a target of opportunity,” Dees said. “We realized we were ready to test engine speed hold separately while other systems continued with finalizing their software. If we can learn something earlier, that’s always better.”
    With every successful test, the integrated NASA and Lockheed Martin team brings the X-59 closer to first flight, and closer to making aviation history through quiet supersonic technology.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Cabinet welcomes additional capacity to power grid

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Cabinet has welcomed the addition of 800 megawatts of new generation capacity to the national grid after Eskom successfully brought Kusile Power Station’s final generation unit online. 

    “This will help stabilise the grid and strengthen our nation’s future energy security,” Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Thursday.

    This achievement marked a crucial step toward completing one of South Africa’s largest infrastructure projects.

    “The Kusile Power Station is the first power station in Africa to implement Wet Flue Gas Desulphurisation (WFGD) technology, ensuring compliance with air quality standards and aligning with global best practices to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions,” Ntshavheni said.

    This as Eskom announced that Unit 6 of the Mpumalanga based power station was added to the grid on Sunday, 23 March.

    Meanwhile, Cabinet has approved the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM) for implementation.

    “The SAREM seeks to leverage the rising demand for renewable energy and storage technologies to promote industrialisation and localisation,” the Minister said.

    The masterplan focuses on solar and wind energy, lithium-ion, battery and vanadium-based battery storage technologies and is designed to be a living document.

    “Cabinet directed that additional work be done on the masterplan to incentivise investors to fund renewable energy supplier development, include the development of green hydrogen fuel in order to meet the international obligation of 5% blended fuel in aviation and maritime sectors by 2030,” she said.

    READ | Kusile’s Unit 6 to boost grid capacity

    Briefing member of the media following Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, the Minister said Cabinet committed to drive structural reforms, and to implement economic growth focused programmes in order to create conducive environment for job creation.

    This as Cabinet welcomed the increase in employment by 12 000 jobs to 10.64 million in the formal non-agricultural sector during the fourth quarter of 2024. 

    “The Stats SA’s Quarterly Employment Statistics reflected employment gains in the trade, business services, transport and the electricity sector. Despite the modest improvement, full-time employment remains lower than it was a year ago,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prime Minister meets Coalition of the Willing in Paris following UK military planning meetings

    Source: United Kingdom – Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street

    Press release

    Prime Minister meets Coalition of the Willing in Paris following UK military planning meetings

    The Prime Minister will co-host the next meeting of the Coalition of the Willing alongside President Macron in Paris today (Thursday 27 March). 

    • Prime Minister will underscore that all must back Ukraine to remain in the fight against Russia
    • Military planning to cover air, sea and land forces to support a lasting and durable peace and deter future Russian aggression 
    • Prime Minister expected to say “Europe is stepping up to play its part to defend Ukraine’s future. Now Putin needs to show he’s willing to play ball”

    The Prime Minister will co-host the next meeting of the Coalition of the Willing alongside President Macron in Paris today (Thursday 27 March). 

    At the meeting, he will present the outcomes of this week’s planning meetings in support of Ukraine, which took place at the UK military operational headquarters in Northwood over the last three days. 

    The intensive sessions, which convened over 200 military planners from countries across the globe, considered in detail the structure of any future force to ensure Ukraine can defend itself from future Russian aggression. 

    The Prime Minister will underline that all must come together to support Ukraine to remain in the fight and back US efforts to make real progress despite continued Russian obfuscation. 

    Planning so far has looked across the full range of European military capabilities including aircraft, tanks, troops, intelligence and logistics capabilities – and discussions have centred on how European nations can contribute their own capabilities to support any future force.

    Discussions will continue around military planning of air, sea and land forces that would be required to support a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. 

    As the Prime Minister has repeatedly stated, a lasting peace in Ukraine can only be provided if we step up and give real and credible security assurances to deter Putin from coming back in future.  

    The Prime Minister will say that excellent progress has been made, and Europe is mobilising together in pursuit of peace, but now we must continue to keep up the momentum. 

    The Prime Minister will add that Putin has clearly shown his lack of commitment to the peace process, following ceasefire talks convened by the United States in Saudi Arabia this week. 

    Published readouts from both sides confirmed a naval ceasefire and prevention of use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea but Russia immediately backtracked and placed conditions on the agreements – despite good faith participation from Ukraine.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer will say:

    Unlike President Zelenskyy, Putin has shown he’s not a serious player in these peace talks. Playing games with the agreed naval ceasefire in the Black Sea despite good faith participation from all sides – all while continuing to inflict devastating attacks on the Ukrainian people. His promises are hollow. 

    The US is playing a leading role by convening the ceasefire talks, President Zelenskyy has demonstrated his commitment repeatedly, and Europe is stepping up to play its part to defend Ukraine’s future. Now Putin needs to show he’s willing to play ball.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Humanoid robots to shine at 5th China International Consumer Products Expo

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, March 27 — The fifth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE), scheduled for April 13 to 18 in Haikou, capital of south China’s Hainan Province, will showcase the latest humanoid robots from leading domestic and international companies, the event’s organizers announced on Thursday.

    The expo, a key platform for global trade and consumption trends, has drawn the participation of over 4,100 brands from 71 countries and regions, Vice Commerce Minister Sheng Qiuping told a press conference.

    Co-hosted by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the Hainan provincial government, this year’s expo will highlight emerging consumption trends, including artificial intelligence (AI) and low-altitude aviation, debuting innovations from global companies, Sheng said.

    The event will introduce a dedicated consumption tech zone to display cutting-edge technologies and products, with humanoid robots being a bright spot at the expo.

    Major tech innovators such as Huawei, Tesla, Unitree and Rokid will present their latest AI-integrated consumer products, ranging from humanoid robots to AR glasses.

    The CICPE is China’s only national-level exhibition featuring consumer products and is the largest consumer expo in the Asia-Pacific region.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Modern spacesuits have a compatibility problem. Astronauts’ lives depend on fixing it

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Berna Akcali Gur, Lecturer in Outer Space Law, Queen Mary University of London

    Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, the Nasa astronauts who were stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months, have finally returned to Earth.

    Spacesuits were an important consideration that Nasa had to factor into its plans to bring the astronauts back home. Wilmore and Williams had travelled to the ISS in Boeing’s experimental Starliner spacecraft, so they arrived wearing Boeing “Blue” spacesuits.

    Following helium leaks and thruster (engine) issues with Starliner, Nasa decided it was safer not to send them back to Earth on that vehicle. The astronauts had to wait to return on one of the other spacecraft that ferry crew members to the ISS, the SpaceX Crew Dragon.

    This meant they needed a different type of spacesuit, made by SpaceX for use in its vehicle only. Boeing’s suits cannot be used in Crew Dragon in part because the umbilicals (the flexible “pipes” that supply air and cooling to the suit) have connections and standards that don’t work with the ports inside a Crew Dragon.

    This highlights a general problem for the growing number of space agencies and companies sending people into orbit, and for planned missions to the Moon and beyond. Ensuring that different spacesuits are compatible, or “interoperable”, with spacecraft they weren’t designed to be used in is vital if we are to protect astronauts’ lives during an emergency in space, especially in joint missions.

    The spacesuits worn during a return from space are called “launch, entry and abort” (LEA) suits. These are airtight and provide life support to the astronauts in case there is a decompression, when air is lost from the cabin.

    Unfortunately, a decompression has already caused loss of life in space. During the Soyuz 11 mission in 1971, three Soviet cosmonauts visited the world’s first space station, Salyut 1. But during preparations for re-entry, the crew cabin lost its air, killing cosmonauts Georgy Dobrovolsky, Vladislav Volkov and Viktor Patsayev, who were not wearing LEA suits. All cosmonauts wore them after this incident.

    As well as the connections for life support, the Boeing and SpaceX suits also have restraints and connections for communications that are specific to each vehicle. For their return home from the ISS in a SpaceX capsule, Williams was able into use a spare SpaceX suit that was already aboard the space station and the company sent up an additional suit on a cargo delivery for Wilmore to wear.

    Two spacecraft are usually docked at the ISS as “lifeboats” to evacuate the astronauts in the event of an emergency. These are generally a SpaceX Crew Dragon and a Russian Soyuz capsule.

    If an emergency evacuation were to occur and there weren’t enough of the right spacesuits available – for either the Crew Dragon or Soyuz – it could endanger astronauts during the fiery re-entry through Earth’s atmosphere. Interoperability between spacesuits has therefore become a matter of survival.

    The Outer Space Treaty, which provides the basic framework for international space law, recognises astronauts as “envoys of humankind” and grants them specific legal protections. These were expanded on in subsequent UN treaties – notably the Rescue Agreement, which imposes a range of duties on states to render assistance to each others’ astronauts in cases of emergency, accident or distress.

    For the ISS, a collaborative space programme with international flight crews, protocols include terms that set forth how this obligation is to be met. However, these protocols do not contain terms relating to spacesuit interoperability.

    Risks to astronauts in space

    A major potential cause of an emergency evacuation is space debris. The ISS has regularly had to manoeuvre to avoid collisions with debris – including entire defunct satellites.

    In his memoir, Endurance, Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly describes being commanded to enter the Soyuz vehicle with two other crew members and prepare to detach from the ISS because of a close approach by a large defunct satellite. Luckily, the spacecraft passed by harmlessly.

    As orbits become increasingly congested, with an exponential increase in the number of space objects being launched, the risk of collisions will also increase.

    Ever more companies and governments are entering the human spaceflight arena. The Tiangong space station, China’s orbiting laboratory, has been fully operational since 2022, and there are plans to open it to space tourism, just like the ISS.

    India is planning to join the community of nations with the capability to launch humans into space, under a programme called Gaganyaan. And while most space travellers remain government-funded astronauts, the number of private space-farers is increasing.

    Billionaire Jared Isaacman (who is President Trump’s nominee to run Nasa) has commanded two private missions into orbit using Crew Dragon. On the second of these, he participated in the first spacewalk by privately funded astronauts. The ISS is set to be retired in 2030 – but one company, Houston-based Axiom Space, is already building a private space station.

    Against this complex and part-unregulated backdrop, ensuring the interoperability of different spacecraft systems, including spacesuits, will increase levels of safety in this inherently risky activity.

    While the safety and practicality of spacesuits has always been the top priority, compatibility between different suits and vehicles should also be high on the list. This requires space agencies and private spaceflight companies to engage with each other in a process to agree on standard interfaces and connections for life support and communications, across all their suits and space vehicles.

    Amid this period of increased commercialisation and competition between the organisations and companies involved in orbital spaceflight, a move toward greater collaboration can only be a good thing.

    Berna Akcali Gur does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Modern spacesuits have a compatibility problem. Astronauts’ lives depend on fixing it – https://theconversation.com/modern-spacesuits-have-a-compatibility-problem-astronauts-lives-depend-on-fixing-it-252935

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –